Chronology

Compiled by Sean O’Toole

1970 to 1979

1973

LIFE

Undertakes mandatory conscription in the South African Defence Force

1974

LIFE

Enrols for fine art studies at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), but changes his studies after a few months to Political Science and African Studies

1975

LIFE

Appears in two Junction Avenue Theatre Company productions directed by Malcolm Purkey, The Goat that Sneezed and Ubu Rex, based on Alfred Jarry’s “Ubu Roi” and co-produced with A Box and University Players, both at The Nunnery, Wits University, Johannesburg

Meets American critic Clement Greenberg, the sole juror of “Art: South Africa: Today” exhibition, at his family home in Houghton

1976

LIFE

Commences formal art education under Bill Ainslie at Johannesburg Art Foundation, until 1978

WORK

Designs, co-devises and acts in Fantastical History of a Useless Man, directed by Malcolm Purkey for Junction Avenue Theatre Company, performed at The Nunnery, Johannesburg, and the Space Theatre, Cape Town

1977

WORK

Co-designs the set, poster and programme for Wooze Bear, by Pippa Stein and Malcolm Purkey (director), The Nunnery, Johannesburg

1978

WORK

Makes 8mm animation film Title/Tale, 2:00 min, with Stephen Sack and Jemima Hunt

Co-develops and performs in Randlords and Rotgut, Junction Avenue Theatre Company production based on research by historian Charles van Onselen, directed by Malcolm Purkey,  The Nunnery, Johannesburg

Contributes set designs and performs in Tom Stoppard’s Travesties, directed by Malcolm Purkey, Market Theatre, Johannesburg

Creates set designs for Play it Again, directed by Barney Simon, Market Theatre

1979

WORK

Makes untitled 8mm flipbook animation, 2:00 min

Directs Junction Avenue Theatre Company production Will of a Rebel by Ari Sitas and Haunchen Koornhof, The Nunnery, Johannesburg

Co-develops and performs in Security by A. von Kotze, performed in Johannesburg and Durban

EXHIBITIONS

William Kentridge (debut solo), The Market Gallery, Johannesburg