​Contemporary South African Art

Bauer was born in East London in 1955 and began his professional career as a cartoonist when he approached the newly founded South African newspaper “The Weekly Mail” with a portfolio of drawings in 1985. Bauer started cartooning at an early age when he would offer caricatures of his teachers to entertain his fellow classmates. Bauer qualified as a graphic designer at East London Technicon after which he worked as a layout artist and renderer and eventually as an art director for De Villiers and Schonfeld, today known as Young and Rubicam.

 

He became disillusioned with advertising and design and considered entering the trade of carpentry – a skill he had acquired during his schooling. He finally decided to focus on drawing and subsequently over the years his cartoons appeared in The Weekly Mail and other known South African press.

 

His work has also been included in a number of collections of South African cartoons and can be found in the National Gallery. He produced a book showcasing his best works from 1985 to 1987 – “SA Flambé and other Recipes for Disaster”. In 1991 Derek expressed a desire to exhibit his artwork one day. This wish came true on May 8th when his work was exhibited at Heritage Square during a private exhibition and launch. The husband and father persona of Derek Bauer is best expressed in the words of Rozy Gunn, his wife. In contrast with his violent graphics, Derek had a huge heart best described in the eloquent words of Rozy.  

 

Ref:   www.derekbauer.co.za