Notes

Gerard Sekoto's artwork titled Children at Play, Eastwood, Pretoria encapsulates a pivotal period in the artist's life. In 1945, Sekoto relocated to Eastwood, Pretoria, where he resided with his mother and stepfather, Paulus Jiyane. This move coincided with his brother Bernard's marriage to Mary Dikeledi. The present lot was painted during this short stay.¹

Despite the challenging environment for a black artist in South Africa at the time, Sekoto managed to garner critical and commercial acclaim during his stints in Sophiatown, District Six, and Eastwood. The present lot falls into the same period as some of his most important painting, like Song of the Pick, Sixpense a Door and Prinsloo Street all of which vividly capture the liveliness and dynamism of cultural activities amidst the tensions in the townships. Like Village Gossip, painted in 1946, now housed at Johannesburg Art Gallery, Children at Play, Eastwood, Pretoria portrays a typical daily scene in Eastwood. In this painting, Sekoto renders the subject in non-naturalist terms. The fusion of colour and motif shows an appreciation for the work of the post-impressionists with expressive use of colour. The subject is imbued with symbolic representations in the capturing of the figures, buildings and landscape. Through a combination of joyous colour and tender scenes of community, Sekoto created a timeless pictorial idiom.

During this period, numerous galleries across South Africa continued to showcase his art. Most notably, his solo exhibitions in 1947 at the Gainsborough Gallery and the Christies Gallery in Pretoria garnered both critical acclaim and financial success. The proceeds from these exhibitions played a pivotal role in funding his eventual journey into exile. Sekoto's relationship with the Gainsborough Gallery in South Africa remained strong, even after his departure for Paris.

Children at Play, Eastwood, Pretoria captures Sekoto's ability to infuse his artwork with the energy and essence of his surroundings, even amidst adversity. It stands as a testament to his enduring artistic legacy and his commitment to preserving the cultural heritage of his homeland. This important work serves as an invaluable historical record of a way of life built on resilience.

¹ Gerard Sekoto Foundation (2013) Song for Sekoto: Gerard Sekoto 1913-2013, exhibition catalogue, Johannesburg: The Gerard Sekoto Foundation, page 112.