Zambian artist Godfrey Setti dies
Zambian-born painter, printmaker and writer Godfrey Setti, who exhibited extensively in South Africa, died in Zambia on March 23. Setti was studying towards a PhD in Fine Arts at Rhodes University, having graduated with a Masters degree in 2000. He obtained his BA Fine Art with Honours from Reading University, England, in 1991, and was the author of a book on Zambian art.
Setti exhibited widely in Africa and abroad and is represented in many public and private art collections. His work was included on the 1990 group show 'Art from the Frontline', which toured the UK and Ireland. He showed at the Grahamstown Festival in 2000, and held a solo show the previous year at the Dakawa Arts and Crafts Centre.
Reviewing his solo exhibition of oil paintings at the AVA in Cape Town in May 2000, Sue Williamson wrote: "The palette Setti uses seems almost northern - there is a soft creaminess to his colours - but the terrain mapped out is familiar: the hustle and bustle of township life as it eddies to and fro from busstop to market to taxi rank. With the exception of a painting of two cycle riders on a country road (and even here a bus is appearing around a distant corner), Setti's paintings are thronged with people busy about their daily life."
Williamson continues: "What lifts Setti's work above the usual portrayals of such scenes is his careful observation of his hurrying subjects and the dynamic composition of his work." For the full review see Artthrob May 2000.
The artist leaves behind seven children who are living and studying in South Africa - two at Rhodes University, three at high school in Grahamstown. Setti's wife died two years ago and it is unclear whether the children will be able to continue their studies. Letters of condolence can be sent to them at 74 African Street, Rhodes University, Grahamstown 6140.
