Sesothu initiation ceremonies

Four initiates with symbolic blankets post circumcision Clocolan District 1960
Photo by John Robinson

Gustav "Jack" Kaltenbrun is a South African who has attended Sesothu shamanic ceremonies since 1950. He interprets these private events using the medium of oil painting, enabling a subjective reflection of ambience while preserving the anonymity of the participants. These paintings are Gustav's shamanic art.

As shamanic practices are enjoying a revival worldwide, Gustav feels the time is right to share his visual record. He says of his paintings: "I was there on the spot and they are authentic not tarted up to look romantic. They are raw and truthful."

African shamanic practices remain relatively obscure to the western eye. This is ironic since African shamanism is authentic, being commonplace and rooted in the everyday experience of most indigenous Africans. Indigenous African spirituality is sometimes called animism, and involves respect for the spirits of the ancestors and the natural world. Shamanic work opens channels to this world of spirits. Animism, or shamanism, exists alongside world religions such as Christianity and Islam.

Below is a video presentation of 18 of Jack's shamanic paintings.

Photos by John Robinson 

Gustav Kaltenbrun lives in Natal. His English nick-name is Jack. He has an MA (History of Art). Gustav is glad to share the images posted to this website, but if you want to use them elsewhere, he hopes to earn a living from his art, so he retains copyright and please ask before using. He may charge for use depending on context. Gustav sells high quality limited editions of signed prints of these paintings. He also has a collection of related images and records. If you are interested buying prints of these paintings, or in exhibiting or publishing these paintings and associated records in book form, please email your initial enquiry to:  jakal AT telkomsa DOT net