Strauss & co - 19 November 2015, Johannesburg

3 EDUCATION ENDOWMENT AUCTION FOREWORD ‘ Through art one can look into the past, evaluate the present and determine a way for the future” (Rasheed Araeen, 2011) ‘Artist Proof Studio (APS) was founded by Nhlanhla Xaba and Kim Berman on the cusp of South Africa’s new democracy in 1991. APS is committed to a vision of social justice and equity through the arts. Education makes this possible. The 2015 Education Endowment Auction will raise funds to ensure that we can continue to train for excellence in young artists in the future. APS attracts highly talented visual artists who aim to make a living from their professional development as printmakers. Admission of students into the subsidised training programs is based upon natural talent, passion and aspiration to be self-supporting and to contribute to creative development in our surrounding communities. Scholarly achievement or financial ability does not form part of the criteria for entry, and some of the learners enter without a high-school certificate. APS prides itself on its many graduates who are self-supporting through their artwork. The learning program offers students extensive skills training in drawing and printmaking techniques and also life skills such as workplace learning and business skills. The philosophy and mission of APS is to develop a culture of ubuntu, which involves respect, sharing, collaborative practices and a deep commitment to social justice, multiculturalism and diversity. Artists are mentored in their third year program, which is a year of professional development through experiential work-place learning and community placements. The aim is for our graduates to participate actively as artist-citizens involved in public action campaigns including Paper Prayers AIDS Action, Artists in schools, human rights advocacy projects and support centers for orphans and vulnerable children. The passion and engagement of our long-term corporate partners, individual patrons and collaborators has contributed to the success and continued growth of APS. This ongoing support helps to ensure that APS continues to train talented students as professional artists who make an impact in the South African art world and beyond. The 2015 APS Endowment Auction highlights the remarkable generosity and shared vision of our alumni and partners. Most of the work on auction has been sourced from ten years of our Archives (the original APS burnt down in a tragic fire in March 2003, where we lost co-founder and teacher Nhlanhla Xaba, and 13 years of artwork and resources). For the education endowment fund, we also approached some of our most successful alumni and long-time collaborating artists to donate an original works on paper. As can be seen in the catalogue, the response has been remarkable in their generosity and quality of their contributions. Each contributing artist has recognized the role that their success plays in creating opportunities for the next generation of successful artists. William Kentridge, who first collaborated with APS in 1994 and Diane Victor, one of our earliest collaborating artists since 1992 have contributed magnificent pieces. Norman Catherine who has collaborated with APS for over a decade contributed a historic 1977 drawing. The response by APS alumni Phillemon Hlungwani, Nelson Makamo, Leghlohonolo Mashaba, Mongezi Ncapayi, Bambo Sibiya, Themba Khumalo, Sizwe Khoza and Jan Tshikuthula is testament to their shared passion for the mission of APS and they embody the value of investment in the arts. Thank you to Artists Press, Sam Nhlengethwa and Judith Mason and Colbert Mashile for their contributions. The 2015 endowment auction has been possible through a collaborative effort. We would like to thank our Auction Champions for their generous support and promotion of selected artists. Our Champions include; Absa, Goodman Gallery, Everard Read Gallery, Rand Merchant Bank, Bidvest Foundation, Fasken Martineau, Legacy Group, SA Taxi Foundation, M&C Saatchi Abel, Louis David and Be Part of The Miracle Trust. A gracious thank you is extended to key partners in this endeavor who’s in-kind support has been significant including; Strauss and co, Absa, Arte Vita & Mastrantonio. Collaborators and patrons helped us reach out to new friends and clients through an evening with Handspring Puppet Company and Norman Catherine. A special thank you goes to Susie Goodman, Lauren Woolf, Willem van der Walt and Nozizwe Vundla for their mentorship of the APS team. The success of APS would not be possible without the dedicated and passionate APS team and artists. Thank you for making this very important milestone in our journey possible. Kim Berman Co-founder & Executive Director, Artist Proof Studio