Introduction:

The serigraph or silkscreen print has become the major graphic art form of the 20th century superseding in colour and hard edge the lithographs of the 19th century.

To-day (sic), the serigraph is used by the greatest contemporary artists of America, Britain, Germany, Holland and Spain.

Battiss, one of the pioneers of this fine art form in South Africa, has a serigraph printed for him by Fred Schimmel early in 1954. By September 1954, Battiss showed in Pretoria his first serigraphs as fine art, distinguishing them from the common commercial screenprint.

The idea moved away from copying art forms in a serigraph medium. So to-day the serigraph exists as an original art form that derives from initial art concepts and ideas and can include photography.

In this exhibition of limited edition serigraphs all done in 1973, the artist has conceived them as serigraphs and not copies of other art media.

As a pioneer Battiss organised with the help of his staff the First Exhibition of Serigraphs at the University of South Africa in June, 1970.

Illustrations:

1. See item 1359 in Art.

2. Introduction by M.S.

3.

4. See item 1569 in Art.

5.

6A.

6B. See item 1776 in Art.

7. See item 1026 in Art.