Breyten Breytenbach

Breyten Breytenbach, a native of South Africa, is a distinguished painter and a writer of more than 30 books of poetry, numerous novels, short story compilations, essays and dramatic works. A committed opponent of apartheid, Professor Breytenbach was a political prisoner in South Africa from 1975 - 1982 serving two terms of solitary confinement. His most renowned non-fiction work is the four-volume memoir of his South African odyssey. A Season in Paradise; The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist; Return to Paradise; and Dog Heart: A Memoir. His books have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Known as the finest living poet of the Afrikaans language, Professor Breytenbach's verse volumes include The Iron Cow Must Sweat; Footscript and most recently Lady One. His most recent dramatic work is The Play. He has had solo exhibitions of his artwork in numerous cities around the world and a recent exhibit of his prints and paintings were displayed at NYU's La Maison Francaise in Fall 2002. He has been honored with numerous international art and literary awards, including the APB Prize, the CAN Award (five times), the Allan Paton Award for Literature, the Rapport Prize, the Hertzog Prize, the Reina Prinsen-Geerling Prize, the Van der Hoogt Prize, the Jan Campert Award, and the Jacobus van Looy Prize for Literature and Art. Professor Breytenbach has taught at the University of Natal, Princeton University, and the University of Cape Town.