In a celebration of South African art history and cultural heritage, the highly anticipated Strauss & Co’s premier Evening Sale during Johannesburg Auction Week on November 7, 2023, is set to open with a remarkable selection of museum-grade works by a cohort of pioneer black modern artists. Gerard Bhengu, Sydney Kumalo, Ezrom Legae, and Moses Tladi are among the notable names whose masterpieces will grace this prestigious event, highlighting the cosmopolitan beginnings of a rich tradition of black artistry in South Africa.
This live-virtual auction features 84 lots of collectable South African art, boasting revered painters such as Gerard Sekoto and George Pemba. It’s a journey through time, tracking the evolution of black artists in South Africa who laid the foundation for the mid-century talents like Peter Clarke, Dumile Feni, Sydney Kumalo, and Ezrom Legae—all of whom are represented in this impressive sale.
Dr. Alastair Meredith, Head of Sale at Strauss & Co, expressed the significance of this event, stating, “We have assembled a fine selection of impressive pictures by pioneering black South African painters, notably Moses Tladi and Gerard Sekoto. Moses Tladi, one of the earliest black landscape painters in the western tradition, was the first black artist to formally exhibit in the Iziko South African National Gallery in 1931. Gerard Sekoto’s acquisition by the Johannesburg Art Gallery in 1940 marked a groundbreaking moment in the recognition of black artists by public museums. It’s an honor to present the works of these artists.”
In addition to established modernist landscapes by iconic figures like Gwelo Goodman, Maggie Laubser, J.H. Pierneef, and Pieter Wenning, the marquee summer sale opens with a trio of exceptional paintings by Moses Tladi. His work is essential in the story of landscape painting in South Africa, and it captures the essence of nature that also compelled Gerard Bhengu, represented by a brilliant watercolor. Gerard Sekoto’s observant urban landscape from his acclaimed Eastwood period of 1945-47 perfectly balances the themes of rural and urban life—a recurring theme in modernist South African landscape painting.
The premier Evening Sale will commence with Ezrom Legae’s bronze sculpture, “Head II,” from the John and Elizabeth Bradley Collection. The sale includes a total of three bronzes by Legae and two bronzes by Kumalo, all of which are featured in “The Sculptures of Sydney Kumalo and Ezrom Legae,” a new catalogue raisonné. The portfolio of black modern artists caters to collectors across various price categories, with works by Moses Tladi carrying estimates between R70,000 and R150,000.
High-value lots include Gerard Sekoto’s “Children at Play, Eastwood, Pretoria” and a 1960 gouache by Peter Clarke depicting a black competitive cyclist. The upcoming sale also features three monochromatic charcoal drawings by Dumile Feni, continuing the artist’s success after Strauss & Co established a world record in May with a large color drawing.
With an impressive array of works from highly revered artists, Strauss & Co’s Evening Sale of Modern and Contemporary Art is poised to be a momentous occasion for art collectors and enthusiasts alike. The auction will take place at Strauss & Co’s Johannesburg auction room, providing a platform for art connoisseurs to celebrate and acquire these exceptional pieces of South African art history.
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