Motswai, Tommy
TOMMY MOTSWAI Happy Fathers Day, 1975 - Signed
Original signed and numbered print by Tommy Motswai titled Happy Father’s Day, created in 1989. Rich in narrative charm and folk-inspired imagery, the composition celebrates family, community, leisure, and working-class life through a series of playful vignettes arranged within a bright architectural framework.
The scene is divided into multiple storytelling panels featuring festive gatherings, outdoor recreation, and humorous social observations. At the center, a chef grills food for elegantly dressed businessmen at a lively party, while below, a fisherman peacefully casts his line into a scenic lake landscape. Additional whimsical details—including musicians, animals, celebratory banners, and smiling figures—give the work a joyful and deeply human atmosphere.
Rendered in vivid hand-drawn colors with expressive outlines and simplified forms, the composition reflects the warmth and accessibility associated with late twentieth-century South African contemporary folk art. Motswai’s work often explored ordinary moments of life with humor, dignity, and affection, creating images that resonate through both storytelling and decorative appeal.
Signed and numbered in pencil, this limited edition example possesses the intimacy and collectibility associated with artist-issued graphic works of the period. The combination of narrative detail, vibrant color, and social observation makes the print especially appealing to collectors interested in African contemporary art, figurative printmaking, and socially rooted narrative imagery.
The work also reflects the broader movement of internationally recognized South African artists during the 1980s who blended traditional storytelling with modern graphic sensibilities, producing highly distinctive and culturally rich compositions.
A lively and highly decorative collectible from the pre-digital poster era, ideal for collectors of South African art, narrative printmaking, and colorful contemporary figurative works.
Framing available upon request.
Details
Sku: XX9765-B
Artist: Tommy Motswai
Title: Happy Fathers Day
Year: 1975
Signed: Yes
Medium: Offset Lithograph
Edition Size: 200
Framed: No
Frame Suggestion: Inquire with our experts for framing suggestions.
Condition: A-: Near Mint, very light signs of handling
Dimensions
Paper Size: 29 x 20 inches ( 74 x 51 cm )
Image Size: 27.5 x 19 inches ( 70 x 48 cm )
TOMMY MOTSWAI Happy Fathers Day, 1975 - Signed
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