Exploring the Richness of South Africa’s Art Scene

South African art is on the rise, with artists like Irma Stern and Alexis Preller gaining global recognition. The Evening Sale at Strauss & Co in Johannesburg on May 28th, 2024 features many pieces highlighting the diversity and talent of South African artists. This auction offers a comprehensive overview of South African art, tracing its roots through to the present day, and signifies a crucial stride in the international restoration of South Africa’s historical artists.

The Emergence of South African Art Talent

South African art has been experiencing a steady ascendance, with the oeuvres of particular artists solidifying their standing within the modern art hierarchy. Artists such as Dumile Feni, Maggie Laubser, Esther Mahlangu, George Pemba, J.H. Pierneef, Alexis Preller, Gerard Sekoto Lucas Sithole, Irma Stern, Anton van Wouw, and Edoardo Villa have become hallmarks of South African art collection.

The Emergence of South African Art Talent

South African art has been experiencing a steady ascendance, with the oeuvres of particular artists solidifying their standing within the modern art hierarchy. Artists such as Dumile Feni, Maggie Laubser, Esther Mahlangu, George Pemba, J.H. Pierneef, Alexis Preller, Gerard Sekoto Lucas Sithole, Irma Stern, Anton van Wouw, and Edoardo Villa have become hallmarks of South African art collection. A number of these creators, only recently starting to gain global recognition, are highlighted in the two-segment Day and Evening auction of modern and contemporary art presented by Strauss & Co in Johannesburg, due on May 28th, 2024.

The Evening Art Auction: A Glimpse into South African Modernism

The Evening Sale, an 85-lot catalogue commencing at 19:00, is headlined by Irma Stern’s striking 1930 depiction of a young woman seated, titled ‘Cape Girl with Fruit’. Stern’s creation phase during this time was characterized by regular travels across Southern Africa and frequent exhibitions in Europe. This remarkable, grand work signifies the birth of Stern’s decadent and mature style, widely acclaimed today.

Alexis Preller’s vibrant beach landscape, ‘Fisherman Mending Nets, Beau Vallon’, echoes a recurring theme of paradise. It reminisces his pivotal sojourn to the Seychelles in 1949. Preller, who is currently being celebrated with a career retrospective at the Norval Foundation in Cape Town, has two pieces showcased in the evening session. Stern graces the auction with a staggering five works, inclusive of the ‘Still Life with Amaryllis’, a pause in her influential tenure representing South Africa at four renditions of the Venice Biennale.

The Rediscovery of South African Art

Dr Alastair Meredith, the Head of the Department of Fine Art at Strauss & Co, asserts that the global public thought primarily overlooked South African avant-garde painting of the 20th century. Nevertheless, South African modernists have been garnering increasing acknowledgement in international exhibitions and literature in recent years. The 2024 Venice Biennale, featuring nearly a dozen of the country’s foremost modernists, signifies a crucial stride in the international restoration of South Africa’s historical artists.

The Evening Sale offers a comprehensive overview of South African art, tracing its early roots with artists like Frans Oerder and Pieter Wenning, through the emergence of the black modernist canon with figures like Pemba and Sekoto, and right up to the vibrant present day. Among the high-value pieces are two drawings by William Kentridge, ‘Preparing the Flute’ and a WW1 battle scene from his 2002 stop-animation film, ‘Zeno Writing’.

The Diversity and Talent of South African Artists

The Evening Sale also features a notable casting from the Nisini foundry of Anton van Wouw’s bronze, ‘Slegte Nuus’. Contemporary sculptor Dylan Lewis also has three pieces showcased in the Evening Sale. The online-only Day Sale emphasizes sculpture and includes bronzes by Deborah Bell, Andries Botha, Guy du Toit, and Herman van Nazareth. ‘Goat Girls’ is a collaborative piece by Diane Victor and Ruhan Janse van Vuuren from their ‘Scapegoat Series’. The catalogue also lists painted wood works by Norman Catherine and an early piece by Gerhard Marx.

This art auction, highlighting the immense skill and diversity of South African artists, is set to be a noteworthy occasion in the South African art calendar. The noticeable interest and growing recognition of South African modernists is not only an indicator of the artists’ escalating prestige but also underscores the broadening appreciation and understanding of South African art on the international front. As these artists continue to receive international praise, the narrative of South African art expands, crafting an intricate narrative of the country’s abundant and varied cultural heritage.

What is the Evening Sale at Strauss & Co in Johannesburg?

The Evening Sale at Strauss & Co in Johannesburg is a notable auction featuring an 85-lot catalogue of modern and contemporary art, showcasing the diversity and talent of South African artists. It offers a comprehensive overview of South African art, tracing its roots through to the present day, and signifies a crucial stride in the international restoration of South Africa’s historical artists.

Who are some of the notable artists featured in the Evening Sale?

The Evening Sale features works by renowned South African artists such as Irma Stern, Alexis Preller, Dumile Feni, Maggie Laubser, Esther Mahlangu, George Pemba, J.H. Pierneef, Gerard Sekoto Lucas Sithole, Anton van Wouw, Edoardo Villa, William Kentridge, Deborah Bell, Andries Botha, Guy du Toit, Herman van Nazareth, Diane Victor, Ruhan Janse van Vuuren, Norman Catherine, and Gerhard Marx.

What are some notable pieces featured in the Evening Sale?

The Evening Sale features Irma Stern’s ‘Cape Girl with Fruit’, Alexis Preller’s ‘Fisherman Mending Nets, Beau Vallon’, and William Kentridge’s ‘Preparing the Flute’ and a WW1 battle scene from his 2002 stop-animation film, ‘Zeno Writing’. The sale also features bronzes by Anton van Wouw, Dylan Lewis, Deborah Bell, Andries Botha, Guy du Toit, and Herman van Nazareth, among others.

What is the significance of South African art in the global art scene?

South African art has been experiencing a steady ascendance, with particular artists gaining global recognition in recent years. The increasing acknowledgement of South African modernists in international exhibitions and literature signifies a crucial stride in the international restoration of South Africa’s historical artists. The narrative of South African art expands, crafting an intricate narrative of the country’s abundant and varied cultural heritage.

What is the Day Sale at Strauss & Co in Johannesburg?

The Day Sale at Strauss & Co in Johannesburg is an online-only auction emphasizing sculpture, featuring works by notable South African artists such as Deborah Bell, Andries Botha, Guy du Toit, and Herman van Nazareth. It also includes collaborative pieces by Diane Victor and Ruhan Janse van Vuuren from their ‘Scapegoat Series’, painted wood works by Norman Catherine, and an early piece by Gerhard Marx.

How does the Evening Sale highlight the diversity of South African art?

The Evening Sale features a comprehensive overview of South African art, tracing its roots through to the present day. It includes works by a range of notable South African artists, highlighting the diversity and talent of South African art. The sale features works in various media, including paintings, drawings, sculpture, and more, showcasing the rich and varied cultural heritage of South Africa.