“Death and taxes and childbirth! There’s never any convenient time for any of them!” So wrote Margaret Mitchell, authoress, in “Gone with the Wind.”
We are one day short of the end of the tax year. If you have not looked at your finances and paid your provisional tax, may I suggest you put down this page and get on with those weighty matters. ArtsPage is mere entertainment, though with an earnest desire to inform on art happenings. Do not squander your valuable time if more pressing matters await.
The Brett Kebble Collection
In true Randlord tradition, the late Brett Kebble amassed a substantial collection of art. Unlike some of them, he did not survive to bequeath the works to a grateful nation, leaving a legacy by which his name will be remembered. The works are to auctioned in Johannesburg for the benefit of the creditors in his insolvent estate. What will certainly be remembered by living artists are the Brett Kebble Art Awards which were substantial and generated much public interest while they lasted.
The Randlords, mining magnates like Sir Joseph Robinson, Sir Lionel and Lady Phillips, Sir Max Michaelis and the Beits, used art to demonstrate their respectability and define their social identity. In his splendid book “Art and Aspirations” (Fernwood Press 2002) , art historian and gallery owner Michael Stevenson enlarged on his PhD thesis to chronicle these swashbuckling times at the turn of the 19th century.
Kebble chose to indulge his interest in art on a grand scale and clearly he was well guided. The website www.BrettKebbleArtCollection.co.za is due to display the 142 works which Graham’s Fine Art in Fourways, Johannesburg are putting to auction. The site was not up at time of writing but undoubtedly there will be a comprehensive selection from emergent artists as well as the safer South African Masters like the Irma Stern illustrated. You can see the works themselves at Grahams 16 April-1 May, then they move to Summerplace in Hyde Park, the venue for the sale on 7 May 2009. It promise to be a great occasion.
Auctions are valuable as a means of liquidating collections, of establishing values of artworks on the open market and by no means least, of enabling others to acquire established artists’ work and build their own collections. If someone’s whole lifetime accumulation is left to a museum, the chances are that only a small portion will ever be displayed and the works go “out of circulation.” Kebble’s works are all comparatively recently acquired so the process of reallocation has speeded up.
In insolvency law, the Receiver of Revenue ranks high up on the list of preferred creditors so he will probably be hoping for a successful sale. The advertisement reads “The Highly Important Auction of the Prestigious Collection of the Late Roger Brett Kebble.” The flamboyant multi-adjectival style seems quite appropriate.
Overstrand Arts/Kunste
The first issue of the Overstrand Arts News reached me this week. It is the well-designed newsletter of a new local body incorporated primarily to promote the performing arts following the acquisition of a gleaming Yamaha grand piano for our Civic Auditorium. The visual arts have been included in the body’s aims and I am reassured by the number of artists on the steering committee. Contact atheron@overstrand.gov.za for an email copy of the newsletter and send your comments to Lianda Beyers Cronjé fredli@hermanus.co.za or Frans Boot fransboot@ananzi.co.za.
Gansbaai Art Route
On the 7th and 8th March, take a run though to Gansbaai and investigate the local art route. Some dozen studios are open and 35 artists participating . A good place to start is Paul Pretorius at his Interiors shop in Dirkie Uys Street. He has maps and information. 079 0208295.
Changes at The Art Shop
Our source of art materials in the heart of town was given fresh impetus by Sanet Cornelius who is now handing over to a new owner. The shop is restocking rapidly and friendly Isabel is still there to look after you.
Watercolours and magic at Sandbaai
Maureen Tomaino is giving two 2-day courses in March at Sandbaai Stationery and Art . She wants to inspire you to have go at this expressive and spontaneous medium. Maureen uses new and different approaches – for times, call Louis on 028 3163789. Louis was excited at the great success of Peter Earl’s demo with Crisitex last Friday. “ He does magic with the medium.” He will repeat his artistic tricks this Friday – so speak to Louis if you want to participate.
ArtsPage values your snippets of news and input – contact me at niblos@telkomsa.net.
Sketch - Strauss and Co
Amid the doom and gloom of the international art markets, sunny South Africa has a new art auction name with a substantial pedigree. The choice of name for Stephan Welz’s new firm has a solid ring about it. Memories of political leaders here and abroad lend gravitas and the enduring culture of jeans (Levi’s are Levi Strauss on formal occasions) not to mention the lilting melodies of Vienna, increase the range of associations. As an ex banker, I simply like the name because Conrad Strauss is chair of the new firm, having held the same position for many years at one of South Africa’s most-respected banks.
Stephan is a son of Jean Welz whose name is known to all local art lovers and quite a few international collectors, too. He started his own fine art auctioneering company decades ago, linked up with Sotheby’s, and after a “retirement” break has emerged fresh to set up a new art business. The first sale of Strauss and Co is in Johannesburg on 9 March and Capetonians had an opportunity to preview selected items at the Castle last week. My picture shows one of the lots to be offered, a fine Hugo Naudé seascape in oils of the Hermanus coast at Roman Rock. (Estimate R500 000-R700 000).
The catalogue of 165 items is delicious (www.straussart.co.za) and I wait with keen interest to see how the sale goes. The quality of the offerings is certain. Welz’s eye and experience, as well as his auctioneering abilities, are legendary.
Houghton in Johannesburg is where Strauss and Co have settled and the Southern Suburbs is their preferred base in Cape Town. When I spoke to Stephan, they were about to sign up for premises at The Oval near Cavendish Square and a stone’s throw from the iconic Vineyard hotel. Between stylish mall and old Cape ambience, how could their desired clientele fail to flock?
No comments:
Post a Comment