Armando Baldinelli was an Italian artist who immigrated to South Africa in 1953. He was born in Ancona, attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, and continued his studies at the Bologna Lyceum and the School of Advanced Arts in Modena.

Following the untimely passing of his wife, Gianna, at 26, Baldinelli was invited to visit Johannesburg by a friend who managed the Carlton Hotel. Enamoured with the country, he decided to stay and initially based himself at the Carlton, where his bathroom doubled as his studio.

Baldinelli eventually built a home and studio in Oaklands and remained there until his death in 2002. Before he arrived in South Africa, his work reflected Cubist influences but his new environment allowed ...