Untitled 

This painting is by the South African artist Christo Coetzee. It is undated and untitled, but was made using oil paint on canvas. Coetzee’s painting style is complex, almost baroque, and definitely not in the traditional, conservative style of art that was popular in South Africa at the time. The artist worked in London and Paris and was associated with the Gutai group in Japan. The Gutai artists are known for their innovative, multimedia approach to artmaking, incorporating performance and emphasizing process over the finished work. Coetzee’s involvement in the movement is evident in his experimental and expressive style. The thick application of paint gives the work a textural quality, almost like a relief sculpture. The image blends elements of high society and labor, challenging established norms. Coetzee pushes the boundaries of art, challenging the distinction between fine art and craft.