Pemba honoured with exhibition
Hailed as the grandfather of township art for his immense contribution to the industry, George Pemba will continue to go down in the history books as one of the most influential SA artists in modern history.
Born in Korsten in 1912, Pemba made a significant impact on the art world by combining his love for portrait work with that of showcasing the lives and history of people living in townships, especially New Brighton.
Here, he had his own studio and rubbed shoulders with other liberation heroes like Dan Qeqe and Govan Mbeki.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum assistant director Emma O’Brien, who recently penned an essay about Pemba prior to the launch of an exhibition hosted at the GFI gallery, said his influence continued to be felt in the vibrant art community in New Brighton. “[Pemba] was passionate about uplifting young artists in his community.
“His father had always encouraged him to develop his talent and Pemba carried on this tradition by teaching classes when possible.
“One cannot understate the importance of [Pemba] to the history of art of the Eastern Cape and broader SA,” O’Brien said.
According to O’Brien, Pemba turned professional in the late 1940s, against the tide of the growing threat of overt racism engulfing society and held his first solo exhibition in East London in 1948.
Over the next six decades, Pemba continued to pursue his love for art with his paintings and drawings slowly attracting a wider audience.
“Pemba painted the history and lives of black communities at a time when the country was segregated and the reality of black lives was suppressed from mainstream media,” O’Brien said.
“Many of his paintings reflected both the struggles of daily life and celebrated the humanity and strength of those around him.
“While he drew on subject matter from around SA, his oeuvre is connected significantly to his home city.”
During the 1980s, Pemba joined the Imvaba Arts’ Association as a veteran to the cause of opposing apartheid through art.
“Imvaba painted murals on a local New Brighton beer hall claiming this space for artists and art activism. Today, this space has been renovated and is known as the Mendi Arts Centre,” O’Brien said.
In 1979, Pemba was awarded an honorary master’s degree from the University of Fort Hare and in 2002 he received an honorary doctorate from Nelson Mandela University for his contribution to art.
On October 19 2004, Pemba was posthumously awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold for his pioneering and exceptional contribution to the development of painting and literature.
He was honoured in 2012 by the SA Post Office which produced a set of 10 commemorative stamps in celebration of what would have been his 100th birthday.
The GFI Gallery in Park Drive is hosting The Umbhiyozo
— Celebrating Pemba exhibition which is open to the public until June 3.