North Coast, 1985
Acrylic paint on canvas, 152 x 152cm
Rupert Art Foundation, Stellenbosch
Helmut Starcke was born in Offenbach, West Germany, but resides in South Africa since 1958. Starcke is a self-taught painter of land-and seascapes, plants and interiors. He first worked in oil then tempera and in acrylic on canvas which are generally of monumental scale. His graphic artworks are inspired by the famous English and American “Pop Artists”. Starcke’s art was definitely influenced by his work in the advertising industry in West Germany and Cape Town. This is evident with his style to incorporate various elements such as photographed material into his works. He later was appointed full time lecturer in Graphic Design at the Michaelis School of Art in Cape Town.
Starcke completed his apprenticeship at Werbekunst Publicity Studio (Frankfurt) and worked as a graphic designer. He was selected for the Venice Biennale in 1964 and 1966 as well as the Sao Paula Biennale. Amongst the founding members of the Artists’ Gallery.
Awarded with a Bronze Medal at the first South African Breweries Exhibition and a Silver Medal at the second SAB Exhibition.
