Notes

Ephraim Ngatane came to Johannesburg in about 1943 and studied painting under Cecil Skotnes at the Polly Street Art Centre from 1952 until 1954 (Johannesburg Art Gallery). He developed an individual approach in his painting and became known for his documentary portrayal of township life using watercolour. He was ‘famed among his colleagues for his technical sorcery. He could just as easily transform a watercolour into a shimmering jewel as he could make an oil painting resemble a stained glass window.’1 Ngatane became a prolific artist and by 1964 he had already had two solo exhibitions. That same year, he was hospitalised with tuberculosis at the Charles Hurwitz South African National Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Soweto. It was here that he encountered and inspired the young Dumile Feni.2 During his time at the sanitorium he painted works such as the present lot, depicting the sombre reality of those inflicted with this infectious disease. Ngatane was admitted with tuberculosis again in 1971 to Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. He died the next day at 33 years of age.

1 Rory Bester, Natalie Knight and David Koloane (2009) A Setting Apart, Johannesburg: Blank Books, page 8.

2 http://revisions.co.za/biographies/ephraimngatane/, accessed 19 April 2024.