Walter Battiss is born in Somerset East

Walter Battiss is born in Somerset East to an English Methodist family in 1906. He became one of South Africa's first and most important abstract painters. He first became interested in archaeology and primitive art as a young boy after moving to Koffiefontein in 1917, and drew and painted since childhood. His formal art studies started in 1929 at the Wits Tech Art School (drawing and painting), followed by the Johannesburg Training College (a Teacher's Diploma) and etching lessons. Battiss continued his studies while working as a magistrate's clerk, and finally obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts at UNISA at the age of 35. On 24 October 1981, the Walter Battiss Art Gallery at Somerset East was officially opened. Battiss died in 1982.