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Meteoric rise in value of artwork

1 Jul 2014

The evening was dominated by competitive bidding and some exciting surprises. A quirky feast of erotic indulgence by celebrated artist Walter Battiss titled Medley No.1, sold for R1 250 480. This work was purchased in 1984 by the previous owner for R1800, which equates to a total growth of 695% in 30 years!

Celebrated artist Alexis Preller achieved a 100% sold rate for the 10 works offered. It was no surprise that the top lot of the sale was Preller’s Seychellois Still Life which sold for R2 955 680. This outstanding work, was executed during the artist’s sojourn in the Seychelles, represents a jubilant and positive period in his life. Following closely on its heels was his Ndebele Village which after competitive bidding sold for R 2 387 280.

Works by Stanley Pinker continue to attract competitive bidding as was demonstrated by the sale of Camping in the Kouebokkeveld , a rare and undocumented work which achieved R2 728 320 and On the Balcony which sold for R625 240. An impressive work by JH Pierneef, Lowveld in Summer, sold for R1 818 880, well over the presale estimate.

Among the contemporary artists, it was not only Kentridge, whose Zeno Landscape II sold for R1 023 120, who performed well, but Penny Siopis, Diane Victor and Richard Penn also achieved highly successful results.

Other highlights which sold over top estimate included George Pemba’s Nongqause (The Girl who Killed to Save) which sold for R363 776, Maurice van Essche’s Harlequin which sold for R738 920 and Frans Oerder’s East African Street Scene, executed during the artist’s visit to East Africa in 1903 after the Anglo-Boer war , and sold for R153 468. Gerard de Leeuw’s increasingly sought after animal and bird sculptures continue to attract collectors with Pelican, Secretary Bird and Springbokkie selling for R318 304, R306 936 and R170 520 respectively.

On the international front, Long Boat by prominent British artist Ivon Hitchens, sold on the telephone for R1 079 960.

Stephan Welz Managing Director of Strauss & Co commented after the sale: “It’s a heartening reflection on the art market to find that a painting that I sold in 1984 for R1800, last night sold for
R1 250 480. Also heartening was that we not only sold paintings from the past, but that young artists are also sharing the accolades”. www.strausssart.co.za

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