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8 April 2009

As Minister of Arts and Culture it was with sadness that I learnt of the passing away of the internationally renowned artist, Cecil Skotnes this week.

His exceptional achievement in the deracialisation of the arts together with his outstanding contribution to the development of black artists earned him the prestigious Order of Ikhamanga in Gold.

From 1952 to 1966 Cecil Skotnes taught art at the Polly Street Art Centre, in Johannesburg, which was virtually one of the only places for black artists to receive training until the appearance of Rorkes Drift Centre in northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in the late 1960s. This encouraged the emergence of African Urban Arts. He was also the chairperson of the Johannesburg "Bantu Music Festival." He took over from Walter Batiss as the president of the South African Council of Artists and later became a founder member and trustee of the Community Arts Project in Cape Town. Working through trying times Skotnes made a remarkable contribution to the development of the black artists in South Africa.

Cecil Skotnes exhibited internationally in many countries. Skotnes is mostly acclaimed as a printmaker, however he painted, sculpted, worked with tapestry and a number of media.

Cecil Skotnes was a recipient of a number of awards and three Honorary Doctorates. His works fetched record prices at the Russel Kaplan's recent auction.

Cecil Skotnes is deeply admired and leaves a rich legacy through his contribution. Hamba kahle Cecil Skotnes. Our sincere condolences to Pippa and the rest of the family.

Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
8 April 2009
Source: Department of Arts and Culture (http://www.dac.gov.za)