Various authors
Contemporary South African Artists, sixteen
Session 1
About the SessionEsme Berman was a pioneering South African art historian, writer and gallerist. At a time when South African art lacked formal documentation she was one of the first writers to systematically document South African art history in her book Art & Artists of South Africa. By travelling the country to visit artists and collect first-hand interviews on their work and practice, Berman created this foundational reference book.
The first edition was published in 1970, and it quickly became the go-to reference for students, collectors, curators and institutions. Later in 1993, she released a second edition which was expanded, including more artists and information. There are 7 copies of these books available on the auction.
At times reference books can be overlooked, but they are instrumental in shaping how we come to understand art and artists over time. And for collectors, they give context for the artist, and deepen the connection and understanding when it comes to buying.
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About this Item
(2) Joni Brenner, Elizabeth Borroughs and Karel Nel (eds) (2011) Life of bone, Johannesburg: WITS University Press, soft cover, illustrated in black and white and colour
(3) Ali A Mazrui (1986) The Africans, Triple Heritage, Boston: Little, Brown and Company, soft cover, illustrated in black and white and colour
(4) Natalie Knight (ed) (undated) Divination & Healing, exhibition catalogue, Johannesburg: Museum Africa, soft cover, illustrated in colour
(5) Everard Read (1999) Velaphi Mzimba, catalogue, Johannesburg: Everard Read Art Gallery, soft cover, illustrated in colour
(6) National Gallery Salisbury (1962) Exhibitions to be held on the Occasion of the First International Congress of African Culture, Zimbabwe (Rhodesia): National Gallery Salisbury, soft cover, illustrated in black and white, accompanied by exhibition invitation and two black and white exhibition photographs
(7) Jean Morris and Eleanor Preston-Whyte (1994) Speaking with Beads, New York: Thames and Hudson, soft cover, illustrated in colour
(8) Juliette Leeb-du Toit (2009) Mmakgabo Mmapula Mmankgato Helen Sebidi, Johannesburg: David Krut Publishing- Taxi Art Books, soft cover, illustrated in colour, accompanied by educational supplement by André Croucamp
(9) Gavin Young (1988) Art of the South African Townships, London: Thames and Hudson, soft cover, illustrated in colour
(10) Louis Maqhubela and Douglas Portway (2019) A Meeting of Minds, exhibition catalogue, Johannesburg: Strauss & Co at RMN Turbine Art Fair, soft cover, illustrated in colour
(11) Anitra Nettleton and David Hammond-Tooke (eds) (1989) African Art in Southern Africa / From Tradition to Township, Johannesburg: A D Donker, hard cover with dust jacket, illustrated in black and white and colour
(12) E J de Jager (1973) Contemporary African Art in South Africa, Cape Town: C Struik, hard cover with dust jacket, illustrated in black and white and colour
(13) Nessa Leibhammer (2007) Dungamanzi, Stirring Waters, Johannesburg: Wits University Press and Johannesburg Art Gallery, soft cover, illustrated in colour, limited edition 10/60, signed by Nessa Leibhammer, Natalie Knight and Billy Makhubele
(14) Natalie Knight and Suzanne Priebatsch (1983) Ndebele Images, Johannesburg: Natalie Knight Productions, soft cover, illustrated in black and white and colour
(15) Leslie J Sacks Editions (undated) Passions, Modern and African Art - a Collection, Gauteng: Waylite Press, hard cover with dust jacket, illustrated in colour
(16) Various Authors (1952) African Folktales & Sculpture, Bollingen Series XXXII, New York: Pantheon Books, hard cover in linen, illustrated in black and white
Notes
(3) Signed and dated 1988, Los Angeles by Esmé Berman.
(7) Signed and dated 1997 by Esmé Berman.
(8) Signed by the artist.
(11) Signed and dated 1990, Sandton by Esmé Berman.
(12) Signed by Esmé Berman.
(16) Signed and dated 1953 by Esmé Berman.
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