Variations of Return
by
Michael Sarjeant
5 August 2022
Michael Sarjeant (19 May 1933 - 11 Oct 2014), shown for the first time, posthumously, in 2019 at Art Lovers 1932. The work wistful and moving, and full of longing. The recurring female form, attempting to fill the rent in his world, the their arms unable to hold on. The persistent presence of a diminutive male figure in a suit, often bearing a gift of flowers, sometimes with a long and stretched-out arm, trying to reach the unreachable. The human figures often portrayed as giants lost in a doll's house world too small for them, and yet too large.
Sarjeant experimented with a variety of approaches, the brush strokes often richly applied, but occasionally delicate and clean, many works strongly reminiscent of Chagall and the interiors of Van Gogh. On occasion suggesting a secret surrealist, perhaps an early Miró, the manipulated scale of Yves Tanguy.
Two hundred and twenty-four paintings left behind and fifty-eight drawings, the only remaining record of his thoughts and yearnings, his solitary and reclusive epilogue, his loneliness complete after the passing of his wife.
As Gustav Klimt said: 'Whoever wants to know something about me... ought to look carefully at my pictures.'
"Hodgins managed to get a grant of £20 a year from the Walls Sausage Trust, which was sufficient to supply paint and equipment for both himself and his friend, Michael Sarjeant, a young student considered by (John) Mansbridge the most brilliant at Goldsmith since Graham Sutherland."
Elizabeth Rankin (1986) 'Biographical Notes Based on Reminiscences of the Artist,' in Robert Hodgins: Images 1953-1986
Michael (Kirkman) Sarjeant was born in London, which is also where he studied at the School of Art at the University of London. He received his National Diploma in Design, with painting, special level, in 1953. According to John Mansbridge, his senior lecturer, 'he proved himself an artist of exceptional ability and achievement'.
It was also in London where he met his South African wife, Mary Gabrielle - Gaby, Gaye or Gub Gub to Michael - a fellow student of the arts. After their marriage they returned to Waterkloof in Pretoria, where Gaby hailed from, and where they remained for the rest of their lives.
Michael lectured at the University of Pretoria for a period of time, 'fully capable of teaching classes in Drawing, Painting, Modelling, The History of Art and Architecture, and allied subjects', as his senior lecturer commended.
Etna Foxcroft met Michael and Gaby Sarjeant in her capacity as financial advisor, and by this time Michael has already become reclusive and agoraphobic, and Etna had to consult with them at their house instead of in her office. When Gaby, still Michael's muse and anchor, his beloved and friend, passed away, he called Etna early in the morning and said: 'I don't know who to call. I don't know what to do.' Etna, with the help of Michael's neighbour, Flip Klopper, became his lifeline to the world outside. She did his shopping and everything else required beyond his hermitic existence. He never left his house again until he died alone and childless in 2014, leaving all his artworks to Etna.
Michael Sarjeant
"Doll's house with bird cage"
1983
Oil on board
65cm x 70cm
Framed
SOLD
Michael Sarjeant
"Doll's house tableau with dog and Charlie Bananas"
1983
Oil on board
90cm x 75cm
Unframed
SOLD
Michael Sarjeant
"Family Portrait"
1983
Oil on board
65cm x 70cm
Framed
R 3 200
SOLD
Michael Sarjeant
"The snake in Eden"
Oil on canvas
50cm x 50cm
SOLD
Michael Sarjeant
"Couple through the window"
2012
Oil on canvas
60cm x 75cm
SOLD
Michael Sarjeant
"Breakfast with cats and Gaby's ghost"
2010
Oil on board
60cm x 70cm
Unframed
R 3 200
SOLD
Michael Sarjeant
"The lock between inside and outside"
2014
Oil on canvas
60cm x 75cm
R 2 300
SOLD
Michael Sarjeant
"Gub-gub's corner"
2010
Oil on canvas
40cm x 50cm
SOLD
Michael Sarjeant
"Michael dreaming the outside"
2010
Oil on canvas
50cm x 40cm
SOLD
Michael Sarjeant
"The Visitor"
2012
Oil on canvas
61cm x 76cm
SOLD
Michael Sarjeant
"Sad and blue"
Oil on board
60cm x 50cm
Unframed
R 1 800
SOLD
Michael Sarjeant
"Hand of God"
2010
Oil on canvas
50cm x 50cm
Framed
SOLD
Michael Sarjeant
"The lonely car"
Oil on canvas
60cm x 45cm
SOLD
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