George Pemba (South Africa 1912-2001)
A Letter to my Mother

oil on board

Artwork date: 1980
Signature details: signed and dated top left; inscribed with the title on the reverse and further inscribed with the artist's name, the title and medium on an Everard Read Gallery label adhered to the reverse
Literature: Hudleston, S. (1996). 'George Pemba: Against All Odds'. Johannesburg: Jonathan Ball Publishers, illustrated on p.131.
Exchange Rates*: USD 25 203 – 37 805
GBP 18 619 – 27 929
EURO 21 342 – 32 013

(1)

58 x 48 cm; framed size: 65.5 x 55.5 x 4.5 cm

Provenance:

Private collection, Cape Town.

Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg.

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

This delicate portrait of a young girl in a quiet moment, writing a letter to her mother, is a uniquely personal painting by George Pemba. Purchased in the 1990s from the Everard Read Gallery in Johannesburg, the current owner was fortunate to have an opportunity to discuss the artwork with the painter, during a visit to the gallery. Pemba warmly recalled that the young woman was his granddaughter, writing a letter to her mother, Pemba’s daughter.

Painted later in his life, in 1980, Pemba had, by this time, practiced as an artist for over 50 years. While he remained dedicated to his art, family responsibilities often drew him away from his easel. However, in 1978, Pemba gave up his business, leasing his store to a local businessman. This meant that at 66 years of age he could, for the first time, dedicate virtually all his time to painting. The following year Pemba received an Honorary Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Fort Hare.

Biographer, Sarah Hudleston notes that Pemba “had never been happier”.[1] Serious recognition continued to grow and by the end of the 1980s, “Pemba became established as one of South Africa’s most revered black artists”.[2] In 1992 he was included in Professor Eddie de Jager’s book, Images of Man. This was the first time he had been included in a definitive book on African art. De Jager notes:

Pemba is primarily a painter of portraits. He has a sensitive attunement to the human face, and in portraiture he is concerned with more than mere representation of a true likeness. He is also concerned with what he can reveal about the inner state and character of his subjects … [3]

This expertly painted portrait is truly special in that it showcases a pivotal period and subject matter. The work, created with immense care, captures the young woman using delicate, fine brushstrokes, the textured detail of her white blouse contrasting against her bold red headscarf, as her downcast eyes reflect a serious moment of contemplation. Painted with great warmth, the portrait – of the next generation – brings into sharp focus the artist’s deep capacity to portray the humanity of his subjects with love and compassion.

^{[1] Hudleston, S. (1996). George Pemba: Against All Odds. Johannesburg: Jonathan Ball Publishers, p.69.}

^{[2] Ibid, p.83.}

^{[3] Ibid.}

COLLECTORS NOTE:

• Accompanied by the book, Hudleston, S. (1996). George Pemba: Against All Odds. Johannesburg: Jonathan Ball Publishers, signed by the author and the artist.

COLLECTIONS:

The artist is represented in numerous local and international collections, notably, the Cory Library for Historical Research, Rhodes University, Grahamstown; the De Beers Centenary Art Gallery, Alice; Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town; Tatham Art Gallery, Pietermaritzburg and The World Bank Collection, Washington, D.C.