Conrad Botes (b. 1969, Western Cape) spent part of his childhood in a prefab house near Theewaterskloof Dam, where his father's teaching influenced his storytelling and artistic vision. He co-founded Bitterkomix, a provocative comic publication that critiqued South African society and was notable for being the first banned publication in a democratic South Africa.
Botes describes his comics as aimed at a South African audience, rich in references to Afrikaans culture, while his paintings are more personal and open to viewer interpretation. His works in monoprints, silkscreens, and lithographs exemplify his role in the Post-Pop movement, often exploring themes of identity and societal critique through iconography that challenges conventional notions of humanism. His art juxtaposes the pastoral with contemporary issues, using elements like flowers as wounds and birds as symbols of doom .
Text and Image Source: The Artists' Press
