Yellow Afternoon 

Walter Battiss created "Yellow Afternoon," capturing a moment of South African landscape bathed in light. Battiss, a white South African artist, was deeply influenced by the indigenous rock art he encountered throughout his life. In this painting, Battiss uses abstraction to convey the essence of the African bushveld. The yellow hues dominate, perhaps reflecting the intensity of the sun and heat. Yet, this work is more than just a landscape; it is an intersection of cultures and histories. Battiss, who adopted the persona of a “Bushman artist,” found inspiration and connection with the land through the art of its earliest inhabitants. Battiss once stated, "I have tried to get as close to the Bushman as possible, to understand his spirit, his closeness to nature." While this demonstrates his desire for connection, it's important to consider the implications of a white artist adopting and interpreting indigenous culture during the apartheid era. The painting invites us to reflect on how artists engage with cultural heritage and to consider the complex dynamics of identity and representation in South Africa.