Bill Ainslie

William “Bill” Ainslie (1934-1989) was a South African artist, teacher, activist, as well as the founder of several art projects.[1]

Bill Ainslie
Born
William Ainslie

(1934-04-10)April 10, 1934
Bedford, Eastern Cape, South Africa
NationalitySouth African
Alma materUniversity of Natal, Pietermaritzburg
Spouse(s)Sophia Jansen-Schottell

Early life

Ainslie was born on 10 April 1934 in Bedford, Eastern Cape,[2] where his family farmed a parcel of land called Spring Grove”. His family moved to the Karoo when he was a young boy, but subsequently left for Johannesburg because of a drought. His father died when he was eight years old.[3]

Ainslie had intended to become a priest, until art claimed his imagination when he was a student. He studied at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg from 1952–1955. In 1958, he completed his honours degree in Fine Art. On completion of his studies he taught at Michael house, a school in KwaZulu Natal. He also taught art at Cyrene Mission in Zimbabwe and King Edward VII School in Johannesburg, his alma mater [3]

In 1960, Bill married Sophia Jansen-Schottell (known as Fieka). He died in a car accident in August 1989 returning from an international workshop at the Cyrene Mission in Zimbabwe.[4]

Career

Ainslie's paintings transitioned from monumental African figures featuring mothers and children, and farm labourers to abstract expressionism. He was renowned for his use of striking and vibrant colours [5]

His painting found connections with American abstract expressionism and as a result, Ainslie tended to teach abstraction.[6]

His work has been exhibited at the Goodman Gallery, the Johannesburg Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.[7]

Legacy

Bill Ainslie founded the Johannesburg Art Foundation in 1982. He trained artists such as Helen Sebidi, William Kentridge, Dumile Feni and David Koloane. The studio was a non-profit organization began informally, operating from fellow artist Cecily Sash's home before Ainslie eventually, in 1977, bought a house that came to be the Johannesburg Art Foundation. Ainslie's art foundation maintained a teaching philosophy which opposed any form of discrimination and stressed that art education should be a possibility for everyone.[8]

The Johannesburg Art Foundation made a significant contribution to South African art and more particularly the progressive development of black South African artists.

Ainslie helped start FUBA (the Federated Union of Black Artists), FUNDA (which means learn in Xhosa) and the Alexandra Arts Centre.[9]

In 1985, the year of South African State of Emergency, Ainslie formed the artist's residency, Thupelo Workshops, in Cape Town with David Koloane and Kagiso Patrick Mautloa, supported by Triangle Network, FUBA, FUNDA and the Johannesburg Art Foundation.[10][11]

Between 1964 and 1988 he held several exhibitions and received three Art SA Today awards.[9]

On 29 August 1999, The Bill Ainslie Gallery was opened at the Johannesburg Art Foundation to coincide with the 10th anniversary of his death. The Foundation closed in 2001 due to a lack of support.[12]

References
  1. "William Stewart Ainslie | South African History Online". www.sahistory.org.za. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
  2. sahoboss (2011-03-16). "Artist Bill Ainslie is born". South African History Online. Retrieved 2018-01-09.
  3. "Bill Ainslie – Southern African Foundation For Contemporary Art". saffca.com.
  4. "William (Bill) Ainslie Book". Jill Trappler. (Privately published by David and Jill Trappler). Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  5. [wiredspace.wits.ac.za/jspui/bitstream/10539/18332/4/MAFA2015%20Insert.pdf Podbrey, J. “Bill Fights to Get Artistic Voices Heard” 1986. Sunday Express. Online. Accessed 28 August.]
  6. "tribute to bill ainslie". www.afronova.com.
  7. admin (2019-07-19). "Review of William (Bill) Ainslie 1934 – 1989". Cape Town Art | Jill Trappler. Retrieved 2020-07-25.
  8. Elizabeth, Castle (25 May 2015). "Encounters with the controversial teaching philosophy of the Johannesburg Art Foundation in the development of South African art during 1982-1992". hdl:10539/18332. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. 2017. "William (Bill) Ainslie". Online. Accessed 3 September 2017.
  10. "2016 Kingsmead Book Fair Programme: Shape Your Mind (Saturday, 21 May)". Sunday Times Books LIVE @ Sunday Times Books LIVE. Retrieved 2018-09-16.
  11. Geers, Kendell (1997). Contemporary South African Art: The Gencor Collection. Jonathan Ball Publishers. ISBN 9781868420391.
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