Peter Steere
From 1971 to 1973 I studied architecture at UCT. In 1976 I spent a year exploring South America, mainly interested in traditional woolen Mapuche and Quechua Indian weavings; their techniques, colours and designs.
On my return to South Africa I worked in graphic design, and became creative director of an advertising agency in Johannesburg.
In 1981 I started a design, manufacturing and retail business with my wife, mainly focussed on colour interaction in pure woollen knitwear. We received a number of local awards, and sold our products around the world.
Travelling between Johannesburg and Durban I became interested in traditional Sotho mural painting. In 2000 I started to explore remote areas of the eastern Free State. Over ten years I got to know many mural painters, and returned each year to photograph their new designs. Unfortunately now, most of the painters have moved to the towns and their traditional homesteads have been abandoned. The Sotho mural painting tradition is rapidly ending. I have a collection of 10 000 photographs which will form the basis of a book on the subject.
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