Strauss & co - 19 November 2015, Johannesburg

EDUCATION ENDOWMENT AUCTION 18 69 WALTER OLTMANN SOUTH AFRICAN 1960– Coelacanth embroidery on fabric 106 by 187 cm R18 000 – 24 000 Walter Oltmann is an artist and lecturer based in Johannesburg. He was born in Rustenburg and went on to pursue a BA in Fine Arts at UKZN/Pietermaritzburg. After this he completed his MA in Fine Arts at the University of Witwatersrand, where he now lectures. Oltmann is a prolific sculptor and printmaker. He is a master at manipulating both two-dimensional and three-dimensional line. On his work Oltmann comments, ‘I manipulate industrial materials in a way that contradicts their prefabricated nature by emphasising hand-made processes. Hence I use the linear qualities of these materials to create various forms and surfaces through techniques that parallel handcrafts. I have become deeply interested in the interchange between different cultures in southern Africa, and my sculptures and drawings often reflect and acknowledge the crafts of Africa’.