ENCORE RUARC PEFFERS is the MD of Aspire Art Auctions. He graduated with a BA (Fine Art) from Michaelis, UCT, after which he started working in the art auction industry under Stephan Welz and Sotheby’s stewardship. Later, Peffers completed an MSc in history, curating and criticism at the University of Edinburgh. He has worked in the arts industry his whole career, between the primary and secondary markets, including at Goodman Gallery and blank projects.
Name three artworks that you love and why.
generation and nation-building, and support their
Tough question. Only three?
development accordingly. Consider, for example, Tate
Moshekwa Langa – Skins; Dan Halter – Safe as Fuck; Francis
Britain where, between the three museums, they attract
Alÿs – Bridge (Snails); Theaster Gates – Raising Goliath;
more annual visitors than the Premier League.
Richard Wilson – 20:50; Christian Marclay – The Clock. What is your most treasured possession? Name one artist you would love to meet.
The gavel I turned with my father on his lathe.
Maurizio Cattelan. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? What are you reading at the moment?
Corruption. Or an environment that resists meritocracy.
Georgina Adam – Dark Side of the Boom: The Excesses of the Art Market in the 21st Century.
What is it that makes you happy? Prosperity. Positivity. My friends and family.
What is in your car’s CD player? Haven’t listened to CDs for years. Chet Faker was playing
Describe a defining moment in your life.
through my phone this morning.
The morning Kevin Handelsman and Brian Joffe took me for breakfast – the first time the concept, and possibility, of
If you could change one thing about yourself, what
Aspire was broached.
would it be? More focused.
What projects will you be busy with during 2018 and into 2019?
How have the arts industries in South Africa changed
Our last project this year is our Holidays! online auction
over the last ten years?
(20 – 27 November), full of wonderful books, fine art
In many ways – apart from becoming more professional and
and collectable objects like Ardmore, whisky decanters,
globally relevant, locally they have become more inclusive,
Chinese blue and white ceramics, etc. Our first project
sophisticated and forward-looking. In the absence of
next year is the University of Stellenbosch Woordfees,
appreciable state support, we are fortunate to have the
followed by the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, during
magnanimous support of South Africans who have invested
which we will conduct two events – a talk with important
significantly in the industry in the form of public-private
woman artists, and an introduction to a new arts
institutions – Norval Foundation, The Javett Art Centre, A4
institution in the Cape – and our first Cape Town auction
Foundation, Gallery South, et al.
– Autumn 19.
Name one thing you think would improve the arts and
Name one goal you would like to achieve in the next
culture industry in South Africa.
twelve months.
State support. For the state and fiscus to acknowledge
To see our Artist’s Resale Right initiative legislated and
the cultural industries’ potential for job creation, revenue
know that artists are benefitting from their work. CF
90 / Creative Feel / December 2018 / January 2019
