Adam & Eve – rare ‘carved painting’ by Cecil Skotnes, c. 1965

Cecil Skotnes (1926–2009)

Cecil Skotnes was a prominent South African artist renowned for his innovative carved-painting technique and contributions to South Africa’s art scene. Born in East London, South Africa, Skotnes served in World War II before studying fine arts at the University of the Witwatersrand.

In 1952, he became the cultural officer at the Polly Street Art Centre in Johannesburg, where he played a pivotal role in nurturing Black artists during the apartheid era. Skotnes developed a distinctive style by transforming the traditional basis of the woodcut printing process into a medium in itself — rather than the woodblock being a means of creating a run of prints, he redefined it as the artwork itself, creating unique painted and incised wooden panels.

His works reflect African themes and narratives, blending European modernist techniques with indigenous African art forms. Throughout his career, Skotnes received numerous accolades and exhibited locally and internationally, leaving an enduring legacy.

One of his rare series was Adam & Eve. This fine example has emerged in Australia, having been inherited by the vendor from a South African relative who migrated to Australia with it in the late 20th century.