Art Around the World World Art    

Lesson 33: Horse and Cart. Sophiatown

by Gerard Sekoto

Directions

Study the artwork for one week.

Over the week:

• Examine the artwork.
• Read the synopsis.
• Study the vocabulary words.
• Recite the artist and artwork names.
• Read about the art region or artist.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Discuss the review questions.

Synopsis

Gerard Sekoto's 'Horse and Cart. Sophiatown' shows a busy day in the city of Sophiatown. A man riding on a cart raises a whip as the white horse pulling the cart balks. To the right, a woman balances a white bundle on her head. Various people walk the streets and ride bicycles. Power lines stretch between poles that recede into the distance. Rooftops stretch to the horizon.

Vocabulary

Cart: A strong open vehicle with two or four wheels, typically used for carrying loads and pulled by a horse.
Whip: A strip of leather or length of cord fastened to a handle, used for flogging or beating a person or for urging on an animal.
Balk: Hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking.
Power Line: A cable carrying electrical power, especially one supported by pylons or poles.
Recede: Of a quality, feeling, or possibility to gradually diminish or grow smaller.

Concepts

1. Gerard Sekoto, South African artist and musician, was born in 1913 in Botshabelo, South Africa. See his self-portrait below.

2. Zoom in and find South Africa, Sekoto's country of birth, on the map of Africa below.

3. Sekoto was a teacher before he moved to Sophiatown to live with relatives and pursue art.
4. Sekoto was the first black artist to sell a painting to the Johannesburg Art Gallery. The gallery awarded him with an honorary doctorate decades later for his artwork.
5. Sekoto left South Africa and moved to Paris, where he worked as a musician and continued painting.
6. Sekoto died in Paris, France in 1993 at the age of 79.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Can You Find It?

Find the following in the artwork:

• White Horse
• Whip
• Cart
• Woman Balancing White Bundle
• Bicycles
• Power Lines
• Small Shed
• Brick Wall
• Front Porch

Activity 2: Narrate the Artwork

• After studying the artwork, narrate the scene shown aloud using your own words.

Activity 3: Complete Vocabulary Activities

• While studying the new words, point out any you see in the painting.
• Define each of the vocabulary words in your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Map   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 50 of 'Art History Coloring Pages for Second Grade.'

Activity 5: Color the Artist   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 51 of 'Art History Coloring Pages for Second Grade.'

Activity 6: Color the Artwork   

• Click the crayon above, and complete page 52 of 'Art History Coloring Pages for Second Grade.'

Review

Question 1

Who are the characters in the artwork?

1 / 4

Answer 1

The characters are inhabitants of Sophiatown who are going about their daily lives. The central character is a man riding in a horse-drawn cart.

1 / 4

Question 2

What is the setting of the artwork?

2 / 4

Answer 2

The setting is a central street in the city of Sophiatown.

2 / 4

Question 3

What country is Sophiatown in?

3 / 4

Answer 3

Sophiatown is in the country of South Africa.

3 / 4

Question 4

What continent is Sophiatown on?

4 / 4

Answer 4

Sophiatown is on the continent of Africa.

4 / 4

❮ ❯

1. Who are the characters in the artwork? The characters are inhabitants of Sophiatown who are going about their daily lives. The central character is a man riding in a horse-drawn cart.
2. What is the setting of the artwork? The setting is a central street in the city of Sophiatown.
3. What country is Sophiatown in? Sophiatown is in the country of South Africa.
4. What continent is Sophiatown on? Sophiatown is on the continent of Africa.

References

'Gerard Sekoto.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.