​Contemporary South African Art

Abrams, Lionel

Born: 1931 Johannesburg

A painter and graphic artist of landscapes,

still life, genre, figures, interiors and abstract pictures.  Works in oil, acrylic and in various graphic media, especially collotypes.
Studies: 1951-53 Witwatersrand Technical College; 1954-55 mural painting and textile design at the Central School of Art, London, under Miss Batty, Gordon Crook and Alan Reynolds; 1959 Witwatersrand Technical College, gaining a National Art Teachers Certificate. 
Profile: 1974-75 a series of photo-pastels.  1970, a limited edition of 10 serigraphs published by the Goodman Gallery, Johannesburg.  His graphics published by Edition 21 were distributed by leading galleries in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, London, Stockholm and throughout the USA.  1960-64 taught at Florida Park High School; until 1977 conducted his own teaching studio; 1982 took up teaching again. 

1955-56 lived in Spain. 
Exhibitions: He has participated in numerous group exhibitions from 1959 held in SA, South America, Europe, Israel, Australia and Zimbabwe; 1957 Lawrence Adler Gallery, Johannesburg, first of many solo exhibitions held throughout SA. 
Award: 1965 Bronze Medal, Transvaal Academy
Represented: Durban Art Gallery; Hester Rupert Art Museum, Graaff-Reinet; Johannesburg Art Gallery; Potchefstroom Museum; Potchefstroom University for CHE; Pretoria Art Museum; Rand Afrikaans University; Sandton Municipal Collection; SA National Gallery, Cape Town; University of Natal; University of South Africa; University

of the Witwatersrand; William Humphreys Art Gallery, Kimberley
References: SAA; 20C SA Art; SAP&S; SAP&D; IWAA

(in addendum); SSAP; BSAK 1 & 2; SA Art; Oxford Companion to 20C Art (under SA); 3Cs; AASA; SA Art News 6 April 1961 & 10 August 1961; Artlook September 1967 & June 1969.



Article credits to:

The Dictionary of South African Painters and Sculptors

by Grania Ogilvie