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Albert Adams stands in front of one of his paintings entitled ‘Celebration’ |
Albert Adams – artist who painted Apartheid
The death of artist Albert Adams is a devastating blow to the art world, writes Tim Bruce-Dick
ALBERT Adams, who died after a short illness on New Year’s Eve 2006 and who lived in Delancy Street, Camden Town, was an artist who enjoyed international recognition comparatively late in his career.
Born in South Africa of Indian stock, he suffered the cruelty of the Apartheid system throughout his youth. His outstanding talent was spotted early, but it was not until his self-imposed exile to England in 1953 that he blossomed. He first studied at the Slade School of Fine Art where he won a scholarship at the University of Munich, Germany. He then went on to work under Oscar Kokoschka in Salzburg, Austria, with whom he had a long friendship.
In 1959 he returned briefly to South Africa when he painted the Triptych ‘South Africa 1959’ which some critics described as the African Guernica, the famous painting by Picasso. It has been hailed as the most important painting by a black South African artist of the 20th century.
However the political and social climate was not to Albert’s liking and he returned for good to England where his subject matter was always to be South Africa.
He drew and painted vivid and disturbing images in large format as well as etching, a field in which he was a master. Over the years he participated in many exhibitions and his work went into collections in the USA, South America, Europe as well as South Africa. Meanwhile he was visiting lecturer in the history of Modern Art at City University.
But it was only after the collapse of the Apartheid system that at last his talent was fully celebrated in his native land with a series of exhibitions at the National Gallery of South Africa at Cape Town where many of his finest works are kept.
In Europe he had successful exhibitions at Antwerp, Manchester and London. In recent years he devoted more time to etching, producing startling and moving images of South Africa including the Cape Minstrels and the Incarceration series inspired by a visit to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela and members of Albert’s family were imprisoned.
As well as painting and drawing in his top floor studio in Delancey Street he loved etching at Morley College, south London, and he was often seen cheerfully marching to Camden Underground wearing his favourite trilby hat with his portfolio under his arm.
Albert lived for over 40 years in his house, which he and his partner Ted Glennon immaculately restored and filled with African, Indian and Art Deco furniture and art.
A brilliant cook and raconteur, Albert was vibrant, charming and energetic until he was suddenly and cruelly taken away from all who loved him.
His funeral took place yesterday (Wednesday) at St Bride’s Church in Fleet Street.
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