The Walter Battiss Art Museum in Somerset East is home to a vast collection of the work of Walter Battiss that reflects his journey from realism towards more abstract, symbolist art.

His unique vision saw his style move from realism towards more abstract, symbolist work which he felt reflected his South African heritage.

He was completely current with the thinking and art trends being explored by his international contemporaries, and way ahead of the art mindset in South Africa at the time.