Gelvandale 1957

George Pemba painted this scene of Gelvandale with oil on canvas, likely in the 1950s. Oil paint allows for rich color and texture, and Pemba uses it to capture the light and atmosphere of the scene. The materiality of oil paint is key here. It's a relatively accessible medium, and the application is direct and expressive. You can see the brushstrokes, the way he layers the paint to build up the forms of the buildings, the figures, and the road. This directness gives the painting an immediacy, as if Pemba is showing us the scene as he sees it. Beyond the paint itself, the canvas support is also significant. It's a mass-produced material, reflecting the increasing availability of art supplies in the 20th century. Pemba’s work is rooted in his observations of everyday life and people in South Africa, and his choice of materials reflects this focus. Looking at ‘Gelvandale’, it’s important to remember the social and political context in which it was made. By focusing on the everyday lives of black South Africans, Pemba challenged the dominant narrative of the time, asserting the importance of these lives and experiences. His material choices, combined with his skilled technique, contribute to the painting's powerful message.