Review 2011

scholarships at the school in collaboration with Strauss & Co. Stephan Welz auctioned ninety lots of works by prestigious and emerging artists, raising over R718 000 which the school will use to establish a fund to support talented and needy students with their studies. This was the first time that the school hosted an auction of this magnitude, with work generously donated by lecturers and former graduates. Stephan Welz recalls the many significant years of association with artists from the Michaelis School of Fine Art; “Nearly 60 years ago, my father donated a linocut which was published in an edition of 100 and formed part of the portfolio of 20 prints by various artists which were hand-printed by the Michaelis School of Fine Art. The linocut was entitled The Prayer and I believe his prayer has been answered in view of the success the School has achieved over the years. This portfolio has proved to be a remarkable investment both in making the various artists’ works available to smaller collectors but also commercially, in that it currently sells for over R30 000 at auction. I am sure my father would be delighted to know that the company I am involved with, Strauss & Co, continues to support the Michaelis School of Fine Art in a charitable way but also reaps the benefit at auction with so many of the former students’ works now achieving record prices setting a superb example for contemporary art in South Africa. Boerneef Art Debate and Dinner at Welgemeend raises R66000 for restoration: A most interesting and enjoyable evening hosted by Strauss & Co and Sanlam Private Investments was held at Welgemeend in Gardens, Cape Town, to raise money for the much needed restoration of paintings from the Boerneef collection of South African art. R66 000 was raised by a room full of generous and committed guests who left feeling enlightened after StephanWelz and Stefan Hundt challenged one another on interesting aspects of a selection of Sanlam and Strauss & Co paintings. Dr Hans Fransen, chairman of the Friends of Welgemeend and Boerneef Collection, was elated at the success of the evening. Strauss & Co will continue to support this cause in an endeavour to create public awareness of our country’s important, yet often unknown, art heritage. St Cyprian’s Private Girls’ School, Cape Town: One of the top lots auctioned at the St Cyprian’s School 140th Birthday Ball and Auction Fundraiser held at The Rotunda on 12 November was a dinner with our own Stephan Welz. A committed parent, art aficionado and great admirer bid ferociously up to R26 000 at this well attended and elegant event to secure this lot. The auction raised a total of R730 000. Facet Charity Auction at Delaire Graff Estate: In November, Delaire Graff hosted a black tie dinner and auction to raise funds to build a Graff Leadership Centre in South Africa’s winelands. 19 lots went under the hammer including works of art by contemporary South African artists. The evening was characterised by competitive bidding and R1.3 million was raised, way above expectations. Strauss & Co ran the auction which was conducted by Stephan Welz. Auction in Cape Town – February 2012 Including The Professor Walter Beck Collection of Glass, Chinese Porcelain and Japanese Cloisonné We are privileged to have been entrusted with the sale of the late Professor Walter Beck’s collection of glass, Chinese porcelain and Japanese cloisonné. A prominent cardiologist, who was part of Christiaan Barnard’s first heart transplant team, Professor Beck passed away earlier this year at the age of 85. His eclectic collection comprised of Cape furniture, European glass from 1890 to 1960, monochromatic and blue-and-white Chinese porcelain and luminous Japanese cloisonné from the Meiji period (1868 to 1912). He was an academic with an astute eye for high quality craftsmanship and detail. The sale also features South African art, furniture and jewellery. We should like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal clients for their ongoing support and look forward to the forthcoming year. 7