Biography

Sidney Beck was born 10 February 1936 in Bertrams, Johannesburg.

He had no formal art training but as a child was fascinated by reproductions of the old masters. Educated in Vrededorp, Beck trained as a teacher, and taught for twenty-three years. Since then he has worked as an artist, mostly as a sculptor.

In 1966 he won The Star Seaside Award for a charcoal drawing of children seeing the sea for the first time. In 1986 The Government erected a Coloured Representative Parliament Building in Cape Town and Beck won the commission to complete a large mural for the building - a singular honour for a Transvaal Artist. This work depicts Coloured People in various walks of life.

As an ex-teacher Sidney Beck was deeply concerned about the lack of opportunity to harness the enormous talent of his people and his earlier work reflected a sadness and frustration. Latterly, however, Beck´s sculpture shows a new spirit of optimism. His subjects for his sculptures are taken from township life - street children, jazz players, newspaper sellers and family members involved in everyday but universal pursuits and pleasures.

Beck´s work is in many collections in this country and abroad. For the past twenty years he has exhibited at The Everard Read Gallery.

Commissions:

1979

• Full-length figure of Gerald Turner, South African Leading Jockey.
• Life size Flute Player, South African Breweries
• Portrait bust of Flute Player, South African Breweries

• "Men of the Year", 6 full-length figures up to 3 feet in height, for Anglo American Corporation.

1982

• Mother and Child, Kokstad Catholic Church Half life size Miner, Boksburg Catholic Church

1983

• Two half life size semi-abstract classical figures bought by The Sandton City Council

1986

• Girl Reading a Book, Boksburg City Council Library.

1992

• Nine-foot sculpture of Sir Seretsi Khama, Botswana.

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