Strauss & Co expands its regional presence, offering valuations, sales & talks across the country

8 May 2024

“We now have an increasing number of specialists and representatives across the country,” says Senior Art Specialist and Head of Strauss & Co’s Art Department, Dr Alastair Meredith. “These specialists will oversee thematic auctions, be available for valuations, present talks, and become directly involved in regional events.”

From the Eastern Cape’s coastline to the Western Cape’s wine routes and everywhere in between

Senior Art Specialist Marion Dixon, who previously worked at Strauss & Co’s Johannesburg office, is now based in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, where she will also maintain Strauss & Co’s presence across Paarl, Franschhoek, Hermanus and Somerset West.

Similarly, Senior Art Specialist Ian Hunter has recently moved from Strauss & Co’s Cape Town office, and is now based in Knysna, where he will be working along the Garden Route, from Mossel Bay through to East London. Extending Strauss & Co’s offerings in KwaZulu-Natal is Bryony Clark who is based in Pietermaritzburg, but also overseeing Durban and the Midlands.

Executive Director of Strauss & Co, Susie Goodman, explains that they have come to recognise a real hunger for art and art-related engagements outside of the major metropoles.  

“We feel it’s important to meet people where they are, in their regions, because not everything is online and virtual. Of course, we conduct so many of our sales virtually so that everyone can participate, but it’s equally important to have that contact – having someone come in and do a physical valuation or oversee the sales, to host talks and lead walkabouts. We recognise that it’s a people business,” says Goodman.

In addition to their sales and consignments taking on an increased regional presence, Strauss & Co’s educational components will also become more accessible, primarily through a specialist presence at key fairs, festivals and events.

In the coming months, Strauss & Co regional specialists will be at the Hilton Arts Festival in KwaZulu-Natal, the Franschhoek Literary Festival, Woordfees, and FynArts (Strauss & Co is a main partner for Woordfees and Fynarts) in the Western Cape, as well as smaller fairs and events between George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

“We have events planned that will allow us to bring pictures and works to new parts of the country,” says Meredith. “Alongside all of these regional events, we are going to continue our educational elements of specialist talks as well as regional, themed exhibitions.”

An African auction house with a view to the rest of the world 

As Strauss & Co continues to expand its regional offerings, a view towards the rest of the continent, and the globe, is equally important.

This year, Strauss & Co has already hosted valuation days in Harare, Zimbabwe and Windhoek, Namibia. Strauss & Co’s Head of International Business Development, Kate Fellens, based in London since 2023 and assisting with valuations and consignments there, has already overseen a number of events on behalf of Strauss & Co, most recently the Alexis Preller: Surreal Discovery exhibition at Cromwell Place in South Kensington in March of 2024.

“We are an auction house located in South Africa with a view to bring African art to the rest of the world, and we’re slowly expanding our footprint across the continent,” concludes Goodman.

If you are interested in buying or selling Fine Art, Decorative Arts, Design, Jewellery or Furniture, visit  www.straussart.co.za for more information on valuations, sales, upcoming exhibitions, talks and more.