Nel Erasmus


Nel Erasmus is a South African artist. Erasmus's paintings feature bright colors and dynamic forms.

Early life and education

Erasmus spent time in Paris in the early 1950s with other South Africans. In the 1950s, he studied at:
Erasmus studied at the Académie Ranson, École des Beaux Arts, and Sorbonne in Paris in 1953 and exhibited her works, for the first time, in Paris in 1955. Her first solo exhibition was held in South Africa in 1957. She has produced 30 solo exhibitions and 90 group exhibitions.

Career

Nel Erasmus worked at the Johannesburg Art Gallery from 1957 and was the director from 1966 until her retirement in 1977. She contributed to the acquisition of artworks for public and corporate collections in South Africa, in particular the international modern and contemporary collection at the Johannesburg Art Gallery.
Erasmus's acquisition in 1973, the year Picasso died, of Pablo Picasso's Tête d’Arlequin, was funded by the Friends of the Museum organization. The acquisition of this painting of a clown was met with resistance, leading to Erasmus writing a paper defending the decision. Erasmus explained that it was the policy of other art museums in South Africa to make collections of South African art, but JAG had a policy to focus on international art.

Awards

  • 1991 Helgaard Steyn Award for Best South African Painting for ''Jazz Baby/Spent Autumn''

Selected exhibitions

Selected works