Posted at 10:57 PM (PDT) on Thursday, October 21, 2004
Business Day (Johannesburg)
October 21, 2004
By Madden Cole
Johannesburg
Allafrica.com ART4AIDS, the biggest contemporary art auction in SA to date, will be held by Stephen Welz &Co in association with Sotheby's on Monday in Rosebank.
The auction, the second of its kind, will raise funds for AIDS orphans in SA. The first, held in Cape Town two years ago, was highly successful and raised R1,2m, and the organisers have high expectations for this one.
"The sale will showcase both local and international artists including Arlene Amaler-Raviv, Marlene Dumas, Marc Quinn, William Kentridge, Robert Hodgins and Beezy Bailey among others," says Mary-Jane Darroll of Stephan Welz.
"Artists made generous contributions for a hugely worthy cause and it will be a fantastic display of contemporary works of art. We have received contributions from many prominent South African artists," she says.
Darroll says of significant interest are the handprints of former president Nelson Mandela, valued at more than R250000. The prints were donated by Touch of Mandela.
Of interest too is an art collaboration between Cape Town artist Beezy Bailey (http://www.beezybailey.co.za/) and Gillian Anderson of X-Files fame. Bailey, grandson of Randlord Sir Abe Bailey and creator of alter-ego artist Joyce Ntobe, has been labelled SA's most irreverent artist.
The value of the conte and pastel untitled painting donated by Kentridge is estimated at R100000 to R110000. Kentridge is recognised as one of the leading international artists.
Not many of the works of contemporary artists have appeared on auction before, and Darroll says this will be a good opportunity to acquire these paintings.
Photography, not often seen on auction, will be of special interest. The photographs by well-known photographers like David Goldblatt, Dale Yudelman, Obie Oberholzer, Minnette Vari, Jo Ractliffe, Abrie Fourie and Josie Borain will come under the hammer. It is unusual to have such a range of photographs of leading photographs on auction, Darroll says.
"There has been a good response to the catalogue and the website and we expect a healthy turnout and support."
The auction function itself is on invitation only, but the public is encouraged to view the artwork on the Art4Aids website (www.art4aids.co.za) and commission their bids by telephone with Stephan Welz.
