Rock Art Figures 

Walter Battiss made this work, "Rock Art Figures," at an unknown date, using watercolor. It depicts abstracted figures reminiscent of ancient rock paintings, a common subject in Battiss's oeuvre. Battiss lived in South Africa during the height of apartheid, and he became interested in the indigenous art of the region. This interest extended to the rock art of the San people. Here, Battiss adopts a deliberately naive style, seeking to connect with a pre-colonial past. He critiques the institutionalised racism of his present, searching for an authentic South African identity. The image creates meaning through cultural references and historical associations. He was a progressive, in favour of challenging South Africa's social norms, which in that time were deeply divided. As historians, our understanding of Battiss's painting is contingent on understanding these social and institutional contexts. Researching the cultural and political history of South Africa helps us interpret the meaning of the artwork.