Zakkie (Zacharias) ELOFF
31.3.1925 - 2003*
Wildlife painter and graphic artist
Zakkie Eloff and René van Zyl-Eloff in 1962 selecting works for their exhibition at Gallery 101 Johannesburg
Brief Comments
Gallery 101 Johannesburg, established on 5th April, 1961, twice exhibited the works by Zakkie Eloff. The first solo exhibition was held in November, 1961, the second exhibition, jointly with Zakkie's wife René van Zyl, was held in 1962. The Eloff’s were then living at Talisman, Walker Street, Pretoria.
Zakkie Eloff’s successful career is well documented in various publications, some of which we have listed below for easy reference and study.
Shows held at Gallery 101 Johannesburg in the early 1960s
1961 Solo exhibition opened on 15th November by W. van Heerden, Editor of “Dagbreek”
1962 Joint exhibition of 42 paintings drawings and graphics opened on 17th September, 1962, by Mrs. R E Albrechts
Press reviews from our archives covering the 1961 and 1962 exhibitions
S.A. Art News, Johannesburg - 10th August, 1961, p. 5 "Two artists in South West"
Die Vaderland, Johannesburg – 20th September, 1962 (review by Anna Vorster), ill.
Transvaler, Johannesburg – 22nd September, 1962, ill.
Rand Daily Mail, Johannesburg – undated, September, 1962
The Star, Johannesburg – two undated reviews , September, 1962, one ill.
Die Stem, Pretoria – undated, September, 1962 (review by Zandberg Jansen)
Recommended further reading
“Die Kuns van Zakkie Eloff” (Joubert) (Vlaeberg), 1992 – ISBN 0-947461-20-5 (also available in English)
„The Dictionary of South African Painters and Sculptors including Namibia“ (Ogilvie / Graff) (Everard Read), 1988 – ISBN 0 620 12663 9 – listed on p. 206/207
"Etosha - Animal Art of Etosha" (Lilienthal) (Dept. of Agriculture & Nature Conservation, Windhoek), 1986 - ISBN 0 620 09715 9 - ill. pp. 30-39
„Art & Artists of South Africa“ (Berman) (Balkema) (1983), pp. 143/144, 502, ill. – ISBN 0-86961-144-5
“Drawn from Life” (Sue Hart) (Chris van Rensburg Publ.), 1982 – ISBN 0-86846-001-X
“Our Art 3” – F.E.S.T., Pretoria (Angela van Rooyen) (“Zacharias Eloff”), pp. 124/9, ill. – ISBN 0620 03142 5
“Lantern” – F.E.S.T., Pretoria (Leo Theron) “Zakkie Eloff, skilder van die dier in die natuur”, 1971 March, Vol. XX No. 3, pp. 12-19, ill.
“Lantern” (SA Association for Adult Education, Pretoria), October/November, 1956 Vol. 6 No. 2, pp. 174/179, ill.
Note*
According to an article in Beeld dated 2nd October, 2003 ("Natuurskilder Zakkie Eloff sterf"), the memorial service was held on 3rd October, 2003, on the koppie near the house he had lived in for so many years, outside Witrivier, Mpumalanga.
In 2012, his wife, René was still living in the house they had moved to 43 years ago!
Updated 9th September, 2012