George William Pilkington

South Africa
South Africa
Games Participations1
First Olympic GamesLondon 1948

Biography

South African painter George Pilkington was mainly self-taught, instructed by James Ford, a well-known Cape Town art-teacher of the 1890s. In 1905 he was elected a lay member of South African Society of Artists, as painting was only a hobby to him at that time. He became a civil servant, serving as private secretary to Henry Burton, who was variously South African Minister of Finance and Minister of Railways and Harbours. Pilkington was also a very keen yachtsman and trout fisherman. In 1924 he began a full-time painting career, devoting himself almost exclusively to marine subjects. His paintings caused a sensation when shown for the first time in Johannesburg. He later also produced two commissioned murals – Disembarkation at Cape Town, 19th Century, and Embarking at Cape Town, 20th Century – for the Cape Town Post Office. Occasionally he also produced cartoons and caricatures.

Olympic Results

Athlete Olympic Results Content

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