Strauss & co - 8 - 11 November 2020

118 T O P L A C E A B I D C L I C K O N T H E R E D L O T N U M B E R 885 Neels Coetzee SOUTH AFRICAN 1940–2013 Figure and Shield II 1977 signed with the artist’s initials and numbered 2/6 bronze with a dark brown patina on a steel base length: 22 cm R200 000 – 300 000 ‘Conceptually, the Skull Series is concerned with the human condition in a broad sense and with the tragic nature of [wo/] man’s destiny. There is not one work in the series which does not take on the character of either the whole body or parts of a body; the viewer can discern backs and heads, elements which hook and gauge. Tears, cracks and lacerations characterise these skulls repeatedly. The shield-like forms symbolising ineffectual defence are invariably dented and torn. The skulls, in their context of racks, grillers and tumbling structures, set up an interaction between solid and void that heightens the sense of emotional tension and conflict.’ 1 1. Neels Coetzee (1985) The Skull: Formal and Iconographical Sculptural Derivations , unpublished Master’s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, page 40. LITERATURE Heather Martienssen (1978) Neels Coetzee, Johannesburg: Afrox, another cast from the edition illustrated in colour on page 18. Koulla Xinisteris (2015) Neels Coetzee: Crucible, Johannesburg: Everard Read, illustrated in colour on pages 45, 46, 47 and 51. Linda Givon (2016) Off the Wall, Johannesburg: Wits Art Museum, illustrated in colour on page 19. Cast by Sunet Ferreira, Pretoria. TWO VIEWS OF LOT 885