Luke Keogh

Anthony Keogh was born in Grahamstown in 1956. He moved to Port Elizabeth in 1964. After completing his studies at Lawson Brown School of Art, Anthony toured South Africa as a guitarist / vocalist in a music group, visiting the islands of Mauritius and La Reunion. He returned to South Africa to complete his military training, after which he joined the Shoe Industry, obtained his ABSI-SA Dip. at The Leather Industries Research Institute and completed his training as a Shoe Designer. In 1981 he joined the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum [formerly The King George VI Art Gallery ] as a Professional Officer, studied part time for a Bachelor of Art –Fine Art through UNISA [ incomplete ] and trained for several years as a Restorer of Easel Painting. In 1989 he became Head Conservator at the museum, a post which he currently holds.

Formally as well as materially, Anthony’s paintings can be understood as social or political statements. More specifically, their crudity of technique, their subject matter and their primary application establish a recognizable connection with the socio-political situation in South Africa. Among other things, the dichotomy between the “haves” and the “have-nots” is depicted for example, by means of ...