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Strauss & Co Art specialists to visit Kwazulu-Natal

1 Apr 2015

There has been a steady increase in interest in South African art over the past 10 years, particularly amongst quality works that are fresh to the market and with good provenance . As with all one’s treasures, it is vital to find out their value and be empowered with as much information as possible. Your art may be worth way far more than you think. Please take advantage of Strauss & Co’s specialists being in town. Their in-depth knowledge of the art market equips them to give estimates that are accurate, precedent and market related, thus contributing to Strauss & Co’s sell-through rate percentage, the highest in the current market.

Stephan Welz, Managing Director of Strauss & Co and doyen of the local market, is the longest practising fine art expert and auctioneer in South Africa. He has a vast knowledge of South African art and antiques and, with over 40 years experience with Sotheby’s in London, Amsterdam and South Africa, he is the most respected “generalist” in the country. He has presided over most of the major South African art and antique auctions and holds the most auction records.

Ruarc Peffers, masters graduate from Edinburgh University, auctioneer and senior art specialist, with a passion for contemporary art, has worked with Stephan Welz for many years. During the Strauss & Co Kwazulu-Natal valuation days conducted last year, Peffers spotted a diamond in the rough by celebrated contemporary artist, Penny Siopis, from her early Cake paintings series. This work had been in the same family for many years and was in need of conservation attention. It was cleaned and restored and went on to achieve R272 832 at a Strauss & Co auction in Johannesburg. Thereafter, it featured in Penny Siopis’s well-received career retrospective at the National Gallery in Cape Town last month and will be touring major centres in South Africa during 2015, thrusting the painting from complete obscurity to complete celebrity, thanks to Strauss & Co.

Below are the details about the valuation days:

Pietermaritzburg Wednesday 8 April, 09.30am – 3pm Tatham Art Gallery Chief Albert Luthuli (Commercial) Road   For an appointment: Reena Bhoodram 033 392 2823 reena.bhoodram@msunduzi.gov.za  R20 per item, maximum of 3 items. Proceeds will benefi t the friends of The Tatham Gallery

Durban Thursday 9 April, 11am – 4.30pm Abalone Place 336 Cato Road, Glenwood   For an appointment: Ruarc Peffers 011 728 8246 or 084 444 8004 ruarc@straussart.co.za

Press enquiries:
Bina Genovese
bina@straussart.co.za / 083 680 9944

Note to editors:
Strauss & Co is South Africa’s leading auction house for fine art, decorative arts, and jewellery. and the global leader in the South African art market.   With an average turnover per annum in excess of R160 million and an average sell-through rate of 83%, Strauss & Co has sold the 8 most expensive paintings ever auctioned in South Africa and holds numerous artists’ records. Strauss & Co, founded on unsurpassed expertise and professionalism, is synonymous with top quality art, decorative arts and jewellery.  Strauss & Co was established in 2008 by celebrated figures in the business world, Elisabeth Bradley, Dr Conrad Strauss and art doyen, Stephan Welz, with the purpose of placing auctioneering on a plane worthy of the best South Africa has to offer in both the fine and decorative arts. www.straussart.co.za