BUSINESS ART

Auction News ART FOR THE ARCH CHARITY AUCTION

A host of art and experiences on auction to raise money for the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation

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Esther Mahlangu, Ndebele Abstract, acrylic on canvas, 100 x 150 x 5cm

Anew, limited-edition print by renowned artist William Kentridge and a fully sponsored stay at a fivestar private villa near Hermanus in the Western Cape are among the variety of works of art and experiences that will go under the hammer on 22 September 2021 to raise funds for the Tutu Legacy Fund, the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation has announced.

The hybrid (in-person and online) event will comprise two sessions, the first at 3pm, with the main event taking place at 6pm.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting this premier event with our partners Strauss & Co and the French Embassy in South Africa. Their generosity is greatly appreciated,” says the Foundation’s CEO, Piyushi Kotecha. The Tutu Legacy Fund was established to ensure that Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s legacy is perpetuated and that the Foundation is able to foster a new, youth-led drive for positive change in Africa and the rest of the world.

The auction is part of the Foundation’s 90@90 campaign, which aims to raise R90-million for the Tutu Legacy Fund – from 7 October 2020 to 7 October 2022. Funds raised from the Art for the Arch auction will go towards an exciting new long-term exhibition celebrating the work of Archbishop Tutu, titled Truth to Power, which will open in October 2021.

“Archbishop Tutu’s legacy has not yet been fully told, yet his courageous leadership helped guide our country through and beyond apartheid, and set an example to the world,” says Kotecha.

Lutanda Zemba Luzamba, Munkoyo, oil on canvas, 120 by 80 by 4cm

“It still does, but it is the Foundation and, most importantly, our young leaders who must carry on his legacy of constructive dialogue, consolation and the healing of divisions, all of which remain critically important to increase equitable prosperity and socio-economic development throughout our modern world.”

“We’re excited to be involved in the important quest to secure Archbishop Tutu’s legacy,” says Frank Kilbourn, executive chairperson of Strauss & Co. “We deal with important legacy pieces on a daily basis, but these tangible assets only have their true value because of the intangible. Archbishop Tutu is one of the greatest assets to humanity. His life story shows how we can be when we are at our best. We’re looking forward to hosting the auction.”

Ioo Artinsure are very kindly sponsoring the insurance for the works that have been donated to the Art for the Arch auction, and have documented and photographed all the works for the glossy catalogue that will accompany the sale. A Strauss & Co auctioneer will conduct the hybrid auction live at the Old Granary, Cape Town, which will also be streamed in real time online.

Bidders can register on the Strauss & Co website from 15 September 2021 at www.straussart.co.za.

The Embassy of France in South Africa will be marketing the auction to its stakeholders. “We’re extremely proud and honoured to be a part of the celebrations for the 90th birthday of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and hope that this milestone will help to raise awareness of the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation’s important activities.

“The French Embassy will assist the Foundation in this auction on various aspects, including sourcing some of the items presented during the auction, and communicating widely around it on our networks,” says Aurélien Lechevallier, France’s ambassador to South Africa.

About the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation

Founded in 2013, the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation represents one of the world’s most iconic leaders, and his life-long partner. The Foundation strives to ensure their uncompromised bravery is celebrated, communicated and curated for posterity. Guided by the values of its founders, the Foundation uses the Tutus’ rich archival heritage to promote learning, leadership and dialogue. This takes place through research and development, archival digitisation, museum design and curation, and programmes and events to promote these values.

Turiya Magadlela, Ubuhle bakho bufana neLanga (Your beauty is like a rising Sun), pantyhose on canvas with acrylic gel sealer, 150 x 150cm

Opposite Page: William Kentridge, Roses in the Big Glass, coffeelift aquatint with drypoint, image size: 100,5 by 79cm; sheet size: 119 by 95,5cm

Auction News STEPHAN WELZ & CO.

www.swelco.co.za

Anton van Wouw, The Thinker

The specialists at Stephan Welz & Co. have been fortunate to handle works by some of South Africa’s most prominent and prolific artists. It is always exciting to examine and appreciate the artistry behind unique pieces, and when it comes to South Africa’s rich history in the art of bronze sculpture, the Renzo Vignali Artistic foundry features again and again. The Renzo Vignali Artistic Foundry has played a significant role in the works of many of South Africa’s premier sculptors. The foundry is the oldest bronze foundry in the country, and the establishment of the foundry in 1931 had a revolutionary effect on the art industry at the time, and broadened the possibilities for South African sculptors.

Anton van Wouw played a large role in the establishment of the Renzo Vignali Artistic Foundry, after insisting Italian Vignali move from Florence to South Africa to work with him. We are very proud to be presenting Van Wouw’s rarely-seen work The Thinker, cast at the Renzo Vignali Artistic Foundry in Pretoria in 1967, on the request of the family agent Shepard and Barker, under the guidance of the foundry owner at the time, Luigi Gamberini. This piece showcases van Wouw’s exceptional abilities to sensitively capture form and emotion in his portrayal of a man with his head slightly bowed, and his chin resting on his hand. This work offers a wonderful example of the masterful use of the

Sydney Kumalo, The Praise Singer I

bronze medium, where two artistic entities, skilled in their own practice, have merged. The work was first seen publicly in Die Brandwag of 13 March 1937, and an image of the artist working on the plaster can be seen on page 111 of Duffy’s publication Anton van Wouw: The Smaller Works. This will be only the third example of this work to appear on auction in over 40 years, making this a special inclusion on our upcoming Premium Live October Auction.

The Renzo Vignali Artistic Foundry’s use of the traditional lost-wax casting system has been honoured and maintained over the years, the technique spanning multiple generations of Vignali Foundry craftsmen, as well as South African artists. Sydney Kumalo’s The Praise Singer I, is a work by yet another prolific South African artist, cast at the Renzo Vignali Artistic Foundry. This work offers a very different final product to that of van Wouw’s pieces, showcasing the foundry’s versatility and confirms its significance throughout South Africa’s sculptural history. Kumalo’s earlier work displayed a Western influence, which was perhaps attributed to his early training and experience at the Polly Street Art Centre, and later in the studio of Edoardo Villa. Over time, this mode increasingly made way for figures of African influence. These robust and spirited figures showcase an artistic strength and vitality and draw deeply on traditions and history, such as can be seen in the figure of the Praise Singer “Imbongi”.

The Stephan Welz & Co. Premium Live October Auction promises works by some of South Africa’s most recognised artists, in a celebration of South Africa’s diverse and rich art history. Keep an eye on our digital platforms for the launch of the sale in September, and join us to view these works in the first week of October. For details, join our mailing list or follow us on social media.