Seeing Ourselves: South African Portraits Past and Present

Oude Leeskamer

At the heart of this year’s offering is Seeing Ourselves: South African Portraits Past and Present, anon-selling exhibition of museum-quality portraiture from private collections that brings together significant works by modernist masters, including Irma Stern’s Young Arab and Gerard Sekoto’s Self Portrait (1947), recently returned from Paris following its inclusion in the Centre Pompidou’s acclaimed Paris Noir exhibition. Works by contemporary artists such as Marlene Steyn, Zanele Muholi and Lionel Smit will also feature, creating a layered conversation about who we are and how we see ourselves.

Origins & Legacy of Art Jewellery in South Africa

Oude Leeskamer

Organised in collaboration with Stellenbosch University’s Creative Jewellery and Metal Design Division, the exhibition Origins & Legacy of Art Jewellery in South Africa explores both the beginnings of South African art jewellery, through pioneering immigrant goldsmiths including members of the Goldsmiths Guild, and its contemporary vitality, with works by 16 innovative present-day artisans. The programme includes a talk, open to students and the public, on Wednesday 15 October at 1pm in the Town Hall (Stadsaal), followed by a walkabout at the Oude Leeskamer. The exhibition coincides with Strauss & Co’s two-part online jewellery auction, Origins & Legacy of Art Jewellery in South Africa (8–22 October 2025).

Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees Benefit Auction

Online

Highly regarded art dealers Heinrich Groenewald and Shona van der Merwe of Reservoir, both graduates of Stellenbosch University, are curating the 4th annual Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees Benefit Auction. The auction features work by celebrated and emerging artists, including Ben Stanwix and Xhanti Zwelendaba, winners of the inaugural Investec Emerging Artist Award at the 2025 Investec Cape Town Art Fair, who are also this year’s festival artists. Bidding opens on Friday 10 October and closes on Monday 20 October 2025.

Strauss & Co x EasyEquities

Online

EasyEquities, gold sponsors of the 2025 Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees, in collaboration with Strauss & Co, are encouraging their clients to invest in South Africa’s creative economy. EasyEquities are offering a discount incentive for clients bidding in the auctions Origins & Legacy of Art Jewellery in South Africa and Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees Benefit Auction. Buyers’ premium received will be deposited as a discount into client accounts. The discount is based on the client’s Thrive status with EasyEquities, with a maximum of R5 000 per lot.

Strauss & Co Talks and Masterclasses

Oude Leeskamer / Town Hall

Strauss & Co x Rupert Museum

Oude Leeskamer / Rupert Museum

Lezanne Viviers Fashion Collection

Oude Leeskamer

On Friday 17 October, 3–4pm, internationally renowned designer Lezanne Viviers will present her latest art-inspired show.