Walter Battiss
Walter Battiss was born in Karoo, Northern Cape, South Africa on January 6th, 1906 and is the Teacher. At the age of 76, Walter Battiss biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.
At 76 years old, Walter Battiss physical status not available right now. We will update Walter Battiss's height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, and measurements.
Walter Whall Battiss (6 January 1906 – 20 August 1982) was a South African abstract painter best known as the designer of the eccentric "Fook Island" style.
Early life
In the Karoo town of Somerset East, Battiss was born into an English Methodist family. After heading to Koffiefontein in 1917, he first became interested in archaeology and tribal art as a young boy. The Battiss family came from Fauresmith, where he completed his education in 1923, matriculating in 1923. In 1924, he became a clerk in Rustenburg's Magistrates Court. His formal art studies began at the Witwatersrand Technical College in 1929 (drawing and painting), then to the Johannesburg Training College (a Teacher's Diploma) and etching lessons. While working as a magistrate's clerk, Battiss continued his education and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts at University of South Africa at the age of 35.
Career
Battiss was a founding member of the New Group, a close association of well-known contemporary European and American artists. He was one of the few individuals from what was then considered the colonies, but in that he had not studied in either Europe or North America, he was unique among them. In fact, he visited Europe for the first time in 1938. He released The Amazing Bushman, his first book, the following year. His interest in rock art had a major influence on his thinking, with San painting regarded as a key art form. He was also influenced by African cultural Ndebele beadwork, largely by pre-Islamic traditions and calligraphy.
He befriended Picasso in 1949, who would have a huge influence on his style.
In 1966-1968, he visited Greece and the Seychelles in 1972, which inspired his make-believe Fook Island.
Battiss published nine books, wrote many essays, and founded the periodical "De Arte." He taught art at Pretoria Boys High School from 1936 to 1958, as well as at the Pretoria Art Centre. He also worked at UNISA, where he became Professor of Fine Art in 1964 and retired in 1971. He was given a D.Litt in 1973. Phil. phil. (honors causa) from UNISA.
He donated all of his artwork to the recently opened "Walter Battiss Museum" in his hometown of Somerset East in 1981.
Walter Battiss died of a heart attack in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal, on August 20.