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11/07/2008 |
Albert Adams: Journey on a
Tightrope
 The first comprehensive
retrospective exhibition of works by
Albert Adams runs at
Iziko South African National Gallery
from 19 July to 16 November 2008. Albert Adams was born in
Johannesburg in 1930 but at the age of four came to Cape Town with
his mother and sister. He
attended Livingstone High School and studied at Hewat College in
Cape Town. Unable to study at the Michaelis School of Art,
University of Cape Town, because of the apartheid policies, he
applied for, and was awarded a scholarship to study at the Slade
School of Art in London where he studied from 1953 to 1956. He
enrolled for a brief course of study at the Munich Academy of Arts
and later in 1957 attended master classes under the internationally
renowned artist, Oskar Kokoschka.
 He returned to Cape Town where he exhibited widely but in 1960
decided to leave South Africa for good and settled in London. He
taught for a while at schools in the East End of London and in 1979
was appointed to the staff of the City University, London where he
lectured in art history for
18 years. Towards the end of 2006 Adams was diagnosed with lung
cancer and after a brief stay in hospital passed away on 31 December
2006.
An instinctive expressionist Adams’ subject matter is evidence of a
deep social commitment and he can rightly be seen as an heir to
Francisco Goya (1740 – 1828). Often his subject matter is inspired
by international events but he always returned to South Africa for
inspiration, depicting,
amongst others, the homeless people of Cape Town, the darker side of
the Cape Minstrels and in a more allusive way the ‘baggage’ or
legacy of apartheid.
Although Adams exhibited extensively and, on more than one occasion
was chosen to represent South Africa on international exhibitions,
his long
 period of absence from South Africa has resulted in the
undue neglect of a major talent. This retrospective exhibition will
result in Albert Adams being recognized and established as a major
South African artist.
The exhibition is curated by Marilyn Martin, Joe Dolby and Andrea
Lewis with invaluable advice and support from Edward Glennon in
London with works drawn from local and international private and
public collections. The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully
illustrated catalogue and includes essays by Elza Miles, Colin Cina,
Marilyn Martin, Peter Clarke, Crain Soudien and Joe Dolby.
The Gallery is open daily, except Mondays, from 10:00-17:00.
Enquiries: 021 467 4660.
Images:
- Two apes, one with flag, the
other with a cross, on standing man. (2001) Etching, aquatint.
- Man with parasol. (2001)
Charcoal, wash on paper.
- Cyclist with monkey (1979),
Acrylic on canvas
1270 x 1020,
Collection: Albert Adams, London
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