Izidro Duarte _ Info

Born in Portugal, Izidro (affectionately known as Izzy) lived most of his young life in Mozambique and came to South Africa as a young lad of eleven.  

He studied at the Witwatersrand School of Art under Robert Bain, Philip Botha, Joyce Leonard, Phil Kolbe and Anna Vorster. He then went on to further his studies in London at the Camden Art Institute. Thereafter he worked for a number of years as a book illustrator. It was in 1970 that Duarte began his career as a full time artist and he has not looked back since.

He lives, breathes, grapples with, challenges and celebrates art daily. It's who he is. He is an artist inspired by nature, the earth, Africa and her people.                            
"When it comes to painting I see myself preoccupied in trying to turn visual reality into what will ultimately become, I hope not too shallow wall decoration. But it is an occupation. And spending time gleaning from God's great and varied handiwork is for me a revealing and mostly satisfying experience. I don't much care for comparisons but I do believe than an honest effort is worth all the sweaty frustration. As long as there are people out there willing to purchase my efforts, then I am fortunate and will thankfully paint another day, maybe two."

While modesty is dominant in his personality, Duarte retains a solid quiet confidence in who he is and what he does.

This is topped with a delightful fuzzy sense of humour. It is perhaps this charming mix of disparate attributes which adds to the intrigue of this accomplished painter and sculptor.

Over the years Izidro has exhibited his works in over fifteen solo exhibitions and many more group exhibitions.

He works in an astonishing array of media including watercolour, oils, acrylic, collage, mixed media and of course his incredibly beautiful figurative sculptures.