Notes

"Muzuzile Mduduzi Xakaza paints uninhabited visions of the mountainous regions in KwaZulu-Natal. Historically, landscape painting in South Africa was perceived, incorrectly, to only be recorded by white artists. Fortunately, contemporary art history recognises the contribution made by black artists to the documentation of landscapes within their appreciation and understanding. Xakaza interprets the KwaZulu landscape from his own traditional Zulu cosmological perspective. Through his meditative and introspective views, often based on the verbal history of these areas, the mountainous scenery of the Landscape with Ancient Symbols is portrayed as a mystical and magical environment. The envisaged proximity of ancestral spirits and their influence on humanity’s good fortune is tangible. Xakaza applies layers of thin paint, building colour and form to recreate the intangible and atmospheric spirituality existing within the vast swathes of uninhabited land."—Barbara Lindop

In celebration of the Hermanus Fynarts Festival 2024, Strauss & Co is proud to feature a selection of works curated by Intethe Gallery, Hermanus. The gallery was established in 2015 by Barbara Lindop, a legendary figure who has devoted over 45 years to identifying the extraordinary talent of Southern African artists. Lindop is perhaps best known for the work on Gerard Sekoto, one of South Africa’s most important modernist artists. Twenty–two artworks across the Day and Evening auctions are from Intethe Gallery’s collective. Barbara Lindop notes, "These artists, united in their common purpose, create aesthetic and relevant artistic commentary on contemporary sociopolitical concerns. Their work is poetic, powerful, and thought-provoking."

The auction will feature pieces addressing global warming, cultural practices, the beauty and spirituality of the natural world, political commentary, and the celebration of humanity. These themes are conveyed through various mediums including texture, line, colour planes, sculptural and ceramic forms. Lindop emphasises, "It is the privilege of the Gallery to assist in promoting these artists."