Lot 39 Robin Anderson
Robin Anderson (Kenyan, 1924-2012)
Maasai Women, circa 1960
Signed ‘Robin A’ (lower right)
Silk batik
100 x 84.5 cm
Ksh 220,000-400,000
(US$ 2,060-3,740)
Bought in
Provenance: private collection of Igor and Erica Mann
Robin Anderson became well known in Kenya in the 1960s for her hand printed silk batiks – a technique that she developed herself. She combined the use of oil, watercolour, batik and screen-print to create what she described as ‘originals on silk’.
Her subject matter, of elegant figures and wildlife scenes, is said to be influenced by travelling around Africa with her father as a child.
Anderson studied Art in London, at Heatherleys Art School, but soon returned to Kenya where she co-founded Gallery Watatu in 1968. Her works were exhibited at the Commonwealth Institute in London and at the Sorsbie Gallery, New Stanley Gallery and Gallery Watatu in Nairobi.
This is a very rare early piece by Anderson, and was acquired directly from the artist in the early 1960s.