Myths, Legends, Deities: Strauss & Co explores historical and cultural narratives through art

2 Apr 2024

Now open for bidding, the online-only sale encompasses four curated sessions: Art Club, Impression/Expression, Re/View and this month’s themed session, Myths, Legends, Deities. The sale closes at one-minute intervals from 2pm on Monday, 15 April.

Mythical figures and contemporary legends

Composed of close to 40 artworks, Myths, Legends and Deities is highlighted by three large oil paintings from contemporary painter Sarah Ballam. Marked not only by their scale and vivid use of colour, Persephone (estimate R60 000 – 80 000), Boudica (estimate R70 000 – 90 000) and Marta (estimate R40 000 – 60 000) are notable for their use of bold, emphatic gesture and their unique representation of mythical figures.

Arisha Maharaj, Art Specialist, Strauss & Co says: “It’s the first time we’re doing this theme and it’s a really fun one that brings together a curated selection of some very interesting and also highly valuable works. Sarah Ballam’s works will be exhibited in our Johannesburg space alongside a selection of other works from the sale, and it’s worth coming through to see them in person.”  

Other notable lots in the sale are William Kentridge’s Triumphs & Laments (estimate 5 000 – 7 000), a hardcover book that includes a print; a signature work by Diane Victor, Trojan III (estimate R8 000 – 12 000); and works from Walter Battiss’ mythical Fook Island body of work, Island God (estimate R10 000 – 15 000) and some of his custom-made currency Fook Banknotes (estimate R3 000 – 5 000).   

Also in line with the theme are Wopko Jensma’s Six-armed man (estimate R4 000 – 6 000) and Mythical Figure (estimate R6 000 – 8 000), and a colour woodcut by Cecil Skotnes from his well-known The Assassination of Shaka series. Sculpture is well-represented by Mashego Johannes Segogela’s  series of works depicting small devils (estimate R 30 000 – 50 000). Andrew Verster’s Untitled (estimate R60 000 – 90 000) holds representations of Hindu gods, made during his time in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, spent visiting its various Hindu temples.

“In line with the idea of legends, there’s also a beautiful work by Sam Nhlengethwa – his Tribute to Miriam Makeba (estimate R15 000 – 20 000) – which frames her as a musical legend in the industry, which is a great addition to this themed session,” explains Maharaj.

Highlights and market favourites

Art/Club highlights include a stand-out landscape by Walter Meyer, who recently sold extremely well in Strauss & Co’s March live sale, with a landscape selling well over the high estimate and achieving a world record for a still-life. Titled Sometimes (estimate R25 000 – 35 000), Meyer’s work depicts a striking African landscape at sunset.  Kentridge’s set of Illy cappuccino cups (estimate R25 000 – 35 000) is another lot worth watching, as is collector favourite Ruan Hoffmann’s playful ceramic plate The Beginning of the End (estimate R8 000 – 12 000). The sale’s top-value lot is Phillemon Hlungwani’s Dancing Girls (estimate R120 000 – 160 000), a large-scale figurative work in charcoal.

Also worth noting is the strong representation of Johannesburg artists on the online sale., among them Norman Catherine, Deborah Bell, Walter Oltmann, Robert Hodgins, David Koloane, Jan Neethling, Claudette Schreuders and William Kentridge. A selection of Trevor Coleman’s abstract works from the 1960s – a period when he produced some of his most unique and desirable abstract works – stands out as another auction highlight.

Overall, the sale covers all of the well-known names and market favourites. Works by Jan Ernst Abraham Volschenk, Gordon Vorster, Alice Elahi, Gregoire Boonzaier, Christiaan Nice, Willem Hermanus Coetzer, Tinus de Jong, Erich Mayer, and Otto Klar are all well-represented.  

Strauss & Co’s April timed online-only sale is open for bidding and closes in one-minute intervals from 2pm on Monday, 15 April.