Magic Sticks 

Walter Battiss made this print, “Magic Sticks,” at an undetermined date, using, it seems, some kind of printmaking technique. It’s a work that immediately invites questions about the social conditions that made it possible. Battiss was a South African artist who, from the 1930s onward, developed an interest in the imagery and cultures of the indigenous people of Southern Africa. However, he is also known for appropriating the imagery of the region into his own mythology, which he called "Fook Island." This mythology can be considered within the context of South Africa's complex history, which includes a deep inequality under apartheid, but also rich artistic traditions. In this print, Battiss uses images and imagined writing in a way that’s reminiscent of indigenous art, but also reflects his own distinctive artistic vision. Art historians have studied this kind of cultural appropriation to explore questions of power, identity, and cultural exchange. Understanding “Magic Sticks” requires us to delve into the history of South African art and culture, examining the ways in which artists like Battiss engaged with and represented the diverse cultures around them.