Strauss & co - 2016 Mid-year Review

The Johannesburg sale also witnessed confident bidding on eleven works by JH Pierneef, which all realised well over their pre- sale estimates. A further encouraging sign of the art market’s resilience and diversity was revealed in healthy competition for Vladimir Tretchikoff’s Sunflowers , a previously unseen work dating from the 1950s. Acquired directly from the boot of the artist’s Cadillac during a layover inPietermaritzburg, thework achieved R1,7 million, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of R400 000 – 600 000. Strauss & Co has played a leading role in championing contemporary art at auction. It has established world records for a number of living South African artists, notably sculptor Jane Alexander and painter Penny Siopis. The company has also established reliable benchmark prices for a number of senior South African artists, notably with top- class offerings by William Kentridge, Willem Boshoff and Karel Nel at its May sale. The extraordinary international interest in young South African artists has begun to register at auction. Strauss & Co holds world records for young painters Georgina Gratrix and Zander Blom. Important offerings in sales this year included top-calibre works by Kudzanai Chiurai and Cameron Platter, both of whom have an international profile. Art specialist, Alex Richards believes that the vigorous growth of this emerging sector “is in line with global trends focusing on contemporary African and South African art”. The auction market is in fine fettle. This is reflected by the entry of a number of new players, both domestic and international, into the market. “New entrants suggest buoyancy and confidence in the art market,” says Bina Genovese. “Strauss & Co will continue to be at the forefront of the development of the South African art market. Our commitment to our clients is unwavering and we look forward to exceptional results in the second half of the year”. Walter Battiss Red Rock Sold R1 818 880 Robert Hodgins Bad Man with Great Threads Sold R2 387 280 6