General Essay on Irma Stern and Gerard Sekoto in a South African Context

Stern was extremely influenced by the style of Post-Impressionists, Fauves, and Expressionists, especially by Max Pechstein of Die Brücke. The work that reflects this was produced when she was still in Germany, and was based on expressionist communication. Contrasting with German Expressionism, her travels through Africa were also highly influential, as well as the mementoes she acquired. The savagery of the landscape and of the people, of snakes, wild birds and tropic vegetation were extremely important. Different African Cultures such as Pondo women, Watusi peoples with slender, long necks, Muslim women in finery and Malay women were of great importance. Stern was highly influenced by primitive art, mainly by the relics and artifacts of ancient African cultures.…