Damsel Fly, Rolling Hills, Stanford

Notes

"Sara Abbot has lived for twenty years in the pristine environment of the Stanford village in the Overberg, Western Cape. Her pastel drawings focus on the surrounding countryside, and as the climate warms, she witnesses the transformation of her environment. The rising waters of the Klein River and the disappearing evidence of riverine insects and bird life are observations she documents with intuitive colour sense in her pastel drawings. The Damsel Fly, depicted in the present lot, has survived living in the shallow waters of riverine habitats for 10 million years. Identified by the stunningly vivid colouring of the wings, this fragile insect is interpreted here, against the backdrop of the equally ancient rolling hills, typifying the geographical formation of the mountains near Stanford. The 2023 October floods washed these fragile breeding grounds away, further endangering the survival of this ancient species."-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."