Urban black living and working conditions in Johannesburg, depicted by township art (1940s to 1970s)

Abstract

The aim of this article is to form a better understanding of life in black urban areas, using art that was created by black artists who lived and worked in Soweto and surrounding areas from the early 1940s up to the mid 1970s. These artists included Gerard Sekoto, Durant Sihlali and John Mohl. Works created by these black artists will be analysed in order to formulate an idea of what life was like in the townships, especially the living and working conditions of the black inhabitants. An analysis of these works, which form part of Township Art, ought to introduce the reader to an experience of township life and serve as a doorway for further investigation. It can also provide the reader and the viewer of the art with some understanding of the sociology of urbanisation in the townships. This article will clearly emphasise the cultural-historical value of Township Art.

Keywords: Durant Sihlali, Gerard Sekoto, Johannesburg urban black townships, John Mohl, Soweto, Township Art, urban black living conditions, urban black working conditions