Published 01 January 2019 in Publications
Art Times
In memory of a great artist, mentor, teacher and husband.
19 September 1943 - 10 June 2018
The South African art community is poorer with the passing of legendary artist Duggie du Toit. His work can be described as classical impressionistic, using themes like vegetables, fruit, old bottles, music and portrait and figure studies. The work is pronounced to its rich earthly colours.
Every now and again you meet someone that changes your life - mostly without them knowing. Duggie was such an individual. He had a great general knowledge, a love for jazz, played classical guitar, well read, a word smith, an enthusiastic art lover and a self-proclaimed master scrabbler player.
But mostly he had a love of people, to big groups - long intense, funny and inquisitive, friendship forming encounters with individuals.
A person like this can often be found in his natural habitat. For Duggie is was his studio. Paint brushes on the floor, paint all over his clothes, the carpet and any other flat surface. On a cold winter morning he will welcome you full of paint from the jersey to the trousers and always barefoot.
Duggie used to say: "My paintings whisper..." or "Nee ek wil nie uitgaan nie, buitekant die hek is dit lelik." A man of extreme humility, grounded in his being.
Duggie du Toit, an artist, no a legend and a giant.