Hand-colored linocut by Peter Clarke

Hand-colored linocut by the acclaimed South African artist Peter Clarke (1929–2014).

Clarke was a central figure in South African art, known for capturing the social landscape and natural beauty of the Cape. Born in Simon’s Town, Clarke was a self-taught printmaker, painter, and poet. His life and work were deeply impacted by the Group Areas Act, which forced his family to relocate from Simon’s Town to Ocean View in the 1970s.
The label on the back of the work lists his address at 14 Alpha Way, Ocean View, Cape Town. The piece was likely produced during his long residency in Ocean View, where he maintained a prolific studio.

"Pypies" refers to a common name for the indigenous Cape flora, small gladioli or Gladiolus angustus. Clarke often drew inspiration from the resilient beauty of local flowers and landscapes.

Style and Technique

The piece exemplifies Clarke's mastery of relief printing and his distinct graphic sensibility.

Clarke frequently added watercolor or gouache by hand after the black ink of the linocut had dried, making each print in an edition slightly unique.
The work is mounted on a textured, fibrous paper (often referred to as mulberry or handmade paper), which was a favorite of Clarke’s for its organic, translucent quality.
Clarke’s style is defined by bold, thick black outlines and a structured, almost architectural composition. His work often reflects a blend of Social Realism and Modernism, characterized by simplified forms and a focus on the essential lines of his subjects. Unlike his larger, more politically charged works, his floral studies are celebrated for their quiet intimacy and appreciation for the "everyday" elements of South African life.

The signature "Clarke" and the handwritten title "PYPIES" are characteristic of his later-period hand-finished greeting cards and small-scale prints, which he often shared with friends and collectors.

Card size: 105mm x 150mm

R2,000