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Nell, Josua

Born: 1935 Keetmanshoop, SWA/Namibia

An extremely versatile artist, painting and sculpting in many media, with a wide-ranging subject matter.  A series of large topographical Namib landscapes in oil.

Studies: 1955-58 Rhodes University under Professor Cecil Todd, where gained a Diploma in Fine Art with distinctions.

Profile: From 1958 a member of the EPSFA; 1961-77 a founder member of the Grahamstown Group; a member of the SAAA.  1959-62 a junior lecturer, 1963-66 a lecturer, 1967-82 a senior lecturer, from 1983 Associate Professor and acting Department Head (1982-84) of the Fine Arts Department of Rhodes University.  From 1970 an external examiner for the University of Fort Hare, from 1980 for the Port Elizabeth Technikon, from 1985 for the Orange Free State Technikon and 1986 for the East London Technical College.  1958 and 1962 made backdrops for the Rhodes Theatre.  Travelled extensively in the desert regions of SWA/Namibia.

Exhibitions:  He has participated in numerous group exhibitions from 1958 in SA and in 1967 at the Royal Academy in London; 1960 Albany Museum, Grahamstown, first of four solo exhibitions; 1979 Uitenhage, joint exhibition with Estelle Marais; 1981 Republic Festival Exhibition; 1982 Cape Town

Award: 1958 Purvis Prize, Rhodes University   

Represented: Pietersburg Collection

Public Commission: Academic portrait commissions for universities and schools.

References: SAA; 3Cs; AASA

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