CELEBRATION OF BLACK ARTISTS WHO CAME BEFORE ME: Julian Motau (1948-1968)
I celebrate and remember Julian Motau, born in 1948 in Tzaneen, Limpopo. My first encounter with Motau’s work was in 2011 at the Johannesburg Art Gallery. Initially, I mistook his work for that of Zwelidumile Geelboi Mgxaji Mhlaba "Dumile" Feni (1942-1991), a distinguished artist who preceded him. The stylistic similarities, particularly in their use of pen on paper, reflect Feni’s influence on the younger Motau, who was inspired by Feni’s innovative approach.
Motau’s journey as an artist was marked by his self-taught skills and his encounter with Judith Mason (1948-2016), a significant figure in his life and my mentor and friend. Mason played a crucial role in his artistic development by providing him with the space to work and introducing him to foundational art techniques. Her mentorship was instrumental in shaping his career and supporting his creative endeavors.
During this transformative period, Mason also introduced Motau to Linda Givon (1936-2020), the then-owner of the Goodman Gallery. Givon was impressed by Motau’s talent and organized his first solo exhibition in 1967. This exhibition marked a significant milestone in Motau’s career, coinciding with his win of the New Sasol Signature first prize, highlighting his emerging prominence in the art world.
The late 1960s were also a time of intense struggle under the apartheid regime of Hendrik Verwoerd. Motau and other black artists faced severe challenges, including the need to disguise themselves as tea boys at their own exhibition receptions to avoid trouble with apartheid police. Givon later reflected on these difficulties, noting, "I was constantly getting into my car and driving down to the cop shop to bail my artists out for pass offenses."
Despite these obstacles, Motau’s career was marked by a series of notable achievements. His talent and resilience stood out during a period of profound social and political turmoil. His work and the support he received from figures like Mason and Givon are a testament to his enduring impact on the South African art scene.
Tragically, Julian Motau’s promising career was cut short when he passed away in Alexandra Township at the age of 20, shortly after his initial successes. His life and work, though brief, remain a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by black artists under apartheid and the lasting influence of their contributions to the arts.
#KnowYourArtist
Images courtesy of REVISIONS
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