
WILLIAM LOTTERING
Visual Artist
This site shows portfolios of work by William Lottering from 1975  to the present. It provides information about events, exhibitions and images of past projects, how to commission an artwork, as well as information about the visual arts in general. William Lottering's LookingGlass Studio is located in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. Copyright of all images and written work is held by the artist and may not be used or reproduced without permission.
BIOGRAPHY
William Lottering: Artist and Playwright
William Lottering was born in Kimberley, South Africa and grew up in Johannesburg. After graduating from high school, he spent 1974 in the military, where he was trained to be a medic. As descendants from Dutch, German and French lines, the Lottering family spoke Afrikaans. William's father, who grew up in Rhodesia (currently Zimbabwe), spoke English as a teenager and trained both his sons to be fluent in English. Both parents were business owners.
Because his high school did not offer any art courses, Willi's parents enrolled him in extra-curricular art classes at the Johannesburg College of Art and Design and also private lessons in drama. Learning to paint and act outside of high school turned out to be an advantage; one of his art instructors was an exchange artist from Switzerland, Alice van Arckel and his drama (elocution) teacher was the famous stage and film actor Miems de Bruyn. Another direct influence was the artist Nico Van Rensburg, who later became the Dean of the Johannesburg College of Art and Design. As a teenager, Lottering participated in art exhibitions and drama events every year. Young William also drew monthly cartoons for the youth magazine Patrys.
in 1975, William enrolled in the University of Pretoria Fine Arts program and graduated four years later with a BA Fine Arts. In 1979, he further graduated with a teaching qualification. As a university student William was invited by Bettie Cilliers-Barnard, a high profile South African painter, to join her installation committee at the South African Association of the Arts. They installed art exhibitions every two weeks and as a team member, Will acquired valuable hands-on experience in jurying and gallery installation procedures; knowledge from which the artist benefitted throughout his long career. As a student, William also met the prominent drama director Francois Swart, whose intellectual influence and approach to drama would be deeply ingrained. Together with his friend Johan Badenhorst, Will spent countless hours in the Provincial Arts Council of Transvaal painting and props workshops (for drama and opera) to learn about drama on the technical side. (Johan Badenhorst later became a well-known set designer in South Africa). William started doing voice dubbing for TV series.
Although Lottering started teaching night-time life drawing classes at the Pretoria Technikon (now Tshwane University) as a student, his first full-time job was in 1980 at the Pretoria Art, Ballet and Music School as a sculpture instructor. After two years, he was appointed by his former Fine Arts department dean, professor Nico Roos, as a full-time lecturer in the University of Pretoria Fine Arts Faculty. Here he was mentored by Mike Edwards, the sculptor professor, art history professor Alex Duffey, and the painter Ernst de Jong. Another influence was one of the most recognized avant-garde painters in South Africa, Christo Coetzee.
As an intellectual influence, Lottering juried art shows and co-organized prominent national art competitions in South Africa, such as the Volkskas Atelier Exhibition and the New Signatures Exhibition (both still in place since 1977). This means that currently, Will has curated art exhibitions for over five decades!
In 1984, William Lottering joined the broadcasting world as radio announcer and producer at the South African Broadcasting Corporation's Radio Suid-Afrika, where he produced art programmes, wrote scripts, read news, conducted interviews, did voice for TV and advertising, created radio documentaries and directed over 200 radio dramas. Radio Suid-Afrika was a national broadcaster. This buzzing world moulded the young artist into what he called a 'hands-on intellectual'. He was an art critic for INSIG, a South African news magazine, as well as on Afrikaans radio and a regular presenter at TV4. Will explained his years in broadcasting as 'probably the most exciting and influential time of my career'. Apart from countless radio scripts, Lottering has written eight plays over the years.
In the1980's William Lottering went on annual expeditions to Namibia. These research and information adventures were organized by Dr. Piet Muller, editor of the newspaper Beeld (and later of the Sunday national, Rapport). Usually, a group of poets, painters, writers and scientists went on these trips to the desert; the experiences had an enormous influence on Lottering's early works, which were often abstracted depictions of the desert. (The Landscape is a Document)
In 1991, William Lottering and his family moved to Canada to settle in the town of Aurora in York Region, Ontario, where he resumed his role as educator. With a rich background in both art and drama, he was appointed as arts program head in the York Region District School Board. His first position here was in the town of Sutton. In 1997, Will directed a year-long Totem project in Sutton, collaborating with the Indigenous people of Georgina Island on Lake Simcoe, Sutton DHS students and the local Georgina community at large. A number of secondary projects such as plays, storytelling events, video and digital projects resulted from the adventure. The final work, a totem pole, was erected by the town and proudly inaugurated during a massive provincial Indigenous Pow-Wow.
​William's position in the 1990's included organizing art events and festivals, as well as chairing arts committees. He was co-director of ArtFun and Fantasy Day Camp in Aurora in the late 1990’s, an instructor at the York Region Arts Camp from 1992-2016 and taught courses at the Haliburton School of the Arts in the summers of 1998-2004. Until 2010, Lottering designed sets and lighting for high school plays and musicals, a role he thoroughly enjoyed. He taught a musical theatre course titled 'Exploring the Arts'. Between 2005 and 2014, Lottering co-organized an annual volunteer graffiti cleanup event in Aurora, Ontario, in collaboration with York Region Police, the Town of Aurora and secondary school students. ​
​In 2014, Lottering moved on when was appointed arts curriculum consultant at the York Region District School Board, north of Toronto. He supported school administrations in the planning and facilitating of arts programs, designed and implemented arts curriculum, as well as instructed and supported teachers in Visual Arts, Dance and Drama curriculum and projects. He chaired a YRDSB committee to organize two large-scale, region-wide integrated arts events to commemorate the Centenary of the Great War in 2015. The Visual Arts event was held at the York Region Administration Center in Newmarket and the performing Arts event at Alexander MacKenzie HS in Richmond Hill. As arts consultant, William coordinated region-wide YRDSB student experimental arts projects and art displays for the annual international Quest Education Conference.
William Lottering's work is displayed regularly in exhibitions and other events. He retired from the education world at the end of 2016 to focus on his studio practice. Currently, he teaches painting and life drawing courses, creates paintings, writes plays and gives regular talks about art. His plays are read at venues such as libraries, galleries or festivals. He travels regularly between Africa, Europe and the USA. Lottering's work is represented in public collections and he has executed commissions in South Africa and Canada. He is a member of Propeller Art Collective in Toronto and the Playwrights Guild of Canada.






















LIST OF EXHIBITIONS AND OTHER WORKS
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 Propeller Art Gallery, Toronto
2023 Newmarket Artwalk
2023 Double Door Gallery, Anten Mills, Ontario
2022 Old Town Hall Gallery Newmarket, Ontario
2021 Pretoria Art Museum - canceled due to Covid-19 Lockdown
2017 Images Studio Tour, Oro-Medonte, Ontario
2016 Images Studio Tour, Oro-Medonte, Ontario
2015 InnIsfil Studio Tour, Ontario
2014 Innisfil Studio Tour, Ontario
2014 Parchment Pieces, Aurora Cultural Centre Ontario
2004 University of Pretoria Gallery, Pretoria, South Africa
1998 Red Barn Theatre, Sutton, Ontario, Canada
1996 Resurrections, Rosenbaum Wagner Gallery Toronto
1986 SA Arts Association Pretoria, South Africa
1984 Ernst de Jong Gallery Pretoria, South Africa
1984 SA Arts Association Pretoria, South Africa
1983 Ernst de Jong Gallery, Pretoria, South Africa
1982 Ernst de Jong Gallery, Pretoria, South Africa
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GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2025 Heart, Mind, Love. Propeller Art Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
2024 Salon Exhibition, Propeller Art Gallery, Toronto Ontario
2023 'Letting Go', Art at 395, Newmarket Ontario
2023 Salon Exhibition, Propeller Art Gallery, Toronto Ontario
2023 Newmarket Juried Art exhibition, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
2023 Drawing Exhibition, John.B.Aird Gallery Toronto, Canada
2023 Unframed, Propeller Art Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2023 Newmarket Artists, Art at 395, Newmarket, Ontario
2022 Luxembourg Art Prize merit certificate
2022 Newmarket Artists, Art at 395, Newmarket, Ontario
2022 Newmarket Artists Juried exhibition, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
2022 Newmarket Artwalk, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
2022 All of a Sudden, Propeller Art Gallery Toronto, Canada
2021 Luxembourg Art Prize - merit certificate
2021 Covid Bubble public installation, York Region, Canada
2021 Love in the time of Covid, Georgina Arts Centre Online Exhibition, Canada
2021 Being a Creative in the New Normal, Online Exhibition and conversation, South Africa
2017 Images Studio Tour, Oro-Medonte, Ontario
2016 Images Studio Tour, Oro-Medonte, Ontario
2016 WWI Centenary Exhibition, York Region Administration Centre, Newmarket, Ontario
2016 WWI Centenary Exhibition, Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts, Richmond Hill, Ontario
2015 International Artists Exhibition, Alliance Francaise South Africa
2011 York Region Art Instructors Exhibition, Aurora Cultural Centre, Aurora, Ontario
2009 Two works into the Pelmama Collection at Pretoria Art Museum, Pretoria South Africa
2009 Meeting People, with Frank Smith, Georgina Arts Centre, Ontario
2008 2 Portraits, Mount Albert, Ontario
2007 Peck House, Newmarket Ontario with Gavin Lottering and Julienne Lottering
2007 Portrait Exhibition, Georgina Arts Centre, Ontario
2003 Instructors Show, Rail Gallery, Haliburton, Ontario
2002 Instructors Show Rail Gallery, Haliburton, Ontario
2000 Instructors Show Rail Gallery, Haliburton, Ontario
1999 Peck House, Newmarket Ontario with Deline de Klerk
1998 York Region Artists, Varley Gallery, Unionville Ontario
1997 Toronto Artists, The Candy Factory, Toronto, Ontario
1997 Ten Boxes, Angell Gallery, Toronto, Ontario
1997 Contact ‘97 Exhibition - Xcavations, Dufferin Mall, Toronto, Ontario
1997 YRBE show, Aurora, Ontario
1996 World Aids Day: A World without Art, McMichael Gallery, Kleinburg, Ontario
1995 YRBE show, Aurora, Ontario
1991 South African Artists, SA Arts Association Pretoria, South Africa
1990 South African Artists, Gallery 21 Johannesburg
1990 Works on Loan at SA Arts Association Pretoria, South Africa
1990 WOMAN by South African Artists, SA Arts Association Pretoria
1989 Arts Alive, WHPS Pretoria, South Africa
1989 Innes Aab Tamsen Bursary Exhibition, University of Pretoria Gallery, South Africa
1989 Pretoria Artists, Café Riche Gallery Pretoria, South Africa
1989 Gallery 21 with Deline de Klerk, Pretoria, South Africa
1988 Mysticism, Aleta Micheletos Gallery, Pretoria South Africa
1988 South African Art, The Art House, Johannesburg, South Africa
1987 Art lecturers’ Exhibition, University of Pretoria, South Africa
1987 Arts Alive, WHPS Pretoria, South Africa
1987 Gildehuys Gallery Pretoria, South Africa, with Deline de Klerk
1986 Arts Alive, WHPS Pretoria, South Africa
1986 Pretoria Artists, University of Pretoria Gallery, South Africa
1986 Past Lecturers, Technikon Pretoria Gallery, South Africa
1986 Nudes, Aleta Micheletos Gallery Pretoria, South Africa
1986 Festival of Pretoria Artists, SA Arts Association Pretoria, South Africa
1986 Finalist, Volkskas National Atelier Exhibition, Pretoria, South Africa
1986 Gallery 21 Johannesburg, South Africa, with Isak de Villiers and Pieter Roux
1985 Arts Alive, WHPS Pretoria, South Africa
1985 University of Pretoria Festival Exhibition, South Africa
1985 Gallery Artists, Aleta Micheletos Gallery Pretoria, South Africa
1985 Gallery 21 with Deline de Klerk, Pretoria, South Africa
1985 South African Artists, Ateljee Cabo Cape Town, South Africa
1985 SAAA Group, SA Arts Association Gallery Pretoria, South Africa
1985 SAAA, Christmas Exhibition, Pretoria, South Africa
1984 South African Art, Aleta Micheletos Gallery Pretoria, South Africa
1984 Ex-students, University of Pretoria Gallery, South Africa
1984 University of Potchefstroom Gallery, South Africa, with Deline de Klerk
1984 South African Artists, City Hall Gallery Klerksdorp, South Africa
1984 Transvaal Artists, Pretoria Art Museum, Pretoria, South Africa
1984 Gallery artists Ernst de Jong Gallery Pretoria, South Africa
1984 Finalist Cape Town Triennial, South Africa
1983 Pretoria Group SA Arts Association Pretoria, South Africa
1983 SA Artists, Gallery 21 Johannesburg
1983 Pretoria Artists, Aleta Micheletos Gallery Pretoria, South Africa
1982 University of Pretoria Group Show, University Gallery
1982 South African Art, Ernst de Jong Gallery Pretoria, South Africa
1981 Ernst de Jong Gallery Pretoria, South Africa, with Deline de Klerk and Balthi du Plessis
1981 American and South African Art, Ernst de Jong Gallery, Pretoria, South Africa
1980 University of Pretoria Student Exhibition, Anton van Wouw House Gallery, Pretoria, SA
1980 Alumni work, Merensky Library Gallery, University of Pretoria, South Africa
1978 New Signatures Exhibition, SA Arts Association Pretoria, South Africa
1977 New Signatures Exhibition, SA Arts Association Pretoria, South Africa
AWARDS
2022 Luxembourg Prize certificate of merit
2021 Luxembourg Prize certificate of merit
2011 Gold, York Region Art Instructors Exhibition, Aurora, Ontario
1984 Finalist, Cape Town Triennial
1986 Finalist, Volkskas Atelier Exhibition, Pretoria, South Africa
2000 Applaud award, YRDSB, Ontario
PUBLIC COMMISSIONS/PAINTINGS
2004 DISCOVER, Mural for Aurora HS Auditorium
2003 Mural for Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket – with students
2002 Mural for Villa Risi, Newmarket, Ontario
1989 Waiting room murals, Germiston Hospital, Germiston City Council, South Africa
1989 Mural - Reception Hall, Hatfield Christian Community Centre, South Africa
1989 Tree of Life Mural - Chapel, Hatfield Christian Community Centre, South Africa
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PUBLIC SCULPTURES
2002 Dr. John Denison Bust, Newmarket, Ontario
2001 The Millennium Site Project, Aurora, Ontario
1998,99 The Totem Project, Sutton, Ontario
1996 Siegfried Mynhardt Bust for Adcock Ingram Theatre, Johannesburg, South Africa
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REPRESENTED IN THE FOLLOWING SOUTH AFRICAN COLLECTIONS:
DEVCON, Development Bank of South Africa, Wits Theatre, TOTAL and PELMAMA
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REPRESENTED IN THE FOLLOWING SOUTH AFRICAN PUBLIC ART GALLERIES:
Pretoria Art Museum and Bloemfontein Art Museum
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REFERENCES
2023 Member of Propeller Art Collective
2021 Youtube interview with Thea Van Schalkwyk in South Africa on Being a Creative in the New
Normal
2021 Youtube interview on novel "Emigrant Immigrant"
2021 Interview on RSG with Hennie Maas on Immigration, 2020
201910 interviews with Martin Jansen on Radio Pretoria FM
2018 Interview on Millennium 2001 Sculpture - on Channel 10 Rogers Cable Newmarket, Ontario
1990 Radio Interview with Tinus de Villiers on Radio Suid-Afrika
1986 Interview, Arts Calendar on TV1 South Africa
1983 Articles in South African Arts Calendar
Articles in Huisgenoot, Insig,
Dictionary of South African Painters and Sculptors (Ogilvy),
Art and Artists in South Africa (Berman)
HAPPENINGS
1996 Provincial Pow Wow at inauguration of the Totem Project, Sutton, Ontario
1990 The Message, Pretoria, South Africa
1989 Human Ecology, Pretoria, South Africa
1989 Sound Expression, Johannesburg, South Africa
1984 Archeological Find, Johannesburg, South Africa
1982 Colour Field, Johannesburg, South Africa
SET DESIGN
2008 The Boy friend, AHS
2006 Anything Goes! AHS
2004 Oliver! AHS
1997 Servant of two masters, SDHS
1996 Guernica, SDHS
1995 Brigadoon, SDHS
1994 A Midsummer Night’s Dream, SDHS
1993 The Wiz, SDHS
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AUTHOR
Novel:
2020 Emigrant Immigrant (Afrikaans)
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Plays:
2024 Camping with Bob
2024 The Painter
2023 Rules of the Road
2023 Our Yard
2022 In Between
2020 Friday 13th
1988 Die Graf van Abie Tobias
1987 Bushalte (2021: End of the Line)
1986 Die Dam (2022: The Dam)