Gerhard Batha
(1937 – )
Gerhard Batha was born in 1937 in Vienna, Austria. Bartha studied at the Graphic School in Vienna under Professor J. Wolfsberger. He specialised in reproduction, stone engraving and painting. Bartha was also accepted to study under Oskar Kokoschka at his summer school in Salzburg. In 1969 he came to South Africa where he began and had his own reproduction and printing business until 1982. After this he started painting full time as a professional painter. During this time Batha also travelled across Europe where he participated in several group exhibitions, as well as his first solo show which was held in Vienna.
Batha has been described as a prolific painter with his vibrant colours and his diverse techniques. He can and does paint in all mediums such as oils, gouache, water-colour, pastel and acrylics. Batha has been seen to paint super realistic, as well as loose free style expressionism. He mostly paints landscapes, flowers, still life, portraits and people. Batha returns to the South African landscape and takes an extensive and refreshing look at the Karoo country side.
Some of his works are owned by De Beers (London), Chase Manhattan Bank (New York), Standard Bank (South Africa) and private collections from Germany, Switzerland, Israel, Australia, the United States, England and South Africa. Batha has also held two solo shows and many group shows in previous years at the Everard Read Gallery.
Exhibitions:
1978 Linda Goodman
1981 Everard Read
1984 Everard Read
1994 Everard Read