By Michael Coulson

Stephan Welz & Co (Swelco)’s hopes for its June Cape Town sale are in line with its previous two sales this year, with a total low estimate spread over three sessions of about R11.6m. For once there are two sessions of minor work, perhaps because no fewer than 236 lots fall into this category, but the gross low estimate for these is only about R2.25m, an average of about R9 460.  [more...]

First ever art collection set to break socio-cultural and financial boundries

The Autumn 2010 Impressionists/Modern, Post-War and Contemporary Collection is the first art collection to initiate a break from the stereotype which categorises art as a pleasure that only the elite can afford. The 30-40 million rand launch is set to take place at Summer Place in Johannesburg from May 18-19, 2010. This is the first time that a Post War and Contemporary collection of South African art will stand alone.  [more...]

Only two weeks remain before entries close to South Africa’s most prominent arts and sponsorship awards – the 13th Annual Business Day BASA Awards supported by Anglo American.   [more...]

A late self-portrait by "pope of pop" Andy Warhol sold for a record $32,5-million at Sotheby's in New York on Wednesday, underlining the return of big spenders to the international art market.

The stark 1986 image of Warhol's famous face and unkempt hair was estimated to sell at between $10-million and $15-million at the contemporary art auction.

The huge final sale value was in line with the strong demand for Warhols shown at the spring contemporary art auction at rival Christie's in Manhattan on Tuesday.
  [more...]

By Michael Coulson
Stephan Welz & Co (Swelco)’s hopes for its June Cape Town sale are in line with its previous two sales this year, with a total low estimate spread over three sessions of about R11.6m. For once there are two sessions of minor work, perhaps because no fewer than 236 lots fall into this category, but the gross low estimate for these is only about R2.25m, an average of about R9 460.   [more...]

By Michael Coulson
Yet another international auction house is trying to break into the African art market, with a sale by Phillips de Pury’s New York office on May 15. With 232 lots, this is much bigger than Bonhams’ recent 173-lot event, but the general standard is lower.   [more...]

Anybody wondering where the top-priced Irma Sterns, notably absent in some recent sales, were should take a look at the catalogue for Strauss & Co’s Johannesburg sale on May 24, which includes no fewer than five seven-figure estimates for her still lifes. They are, in fact, almost the only such works on the sale, but with an estimate range for the SA works (the sale starts with a baker’s dozen of foreign artists) of R34.9m-R49.4m the offerings give the lie to the suggestion (not least by me) that the firm would struggle to match last year’s maiden sale (which, for the record, grossed R37m).  [more...]

Auction of Important South African, British and Continental Paintings and Sculpture
Johannesburg Country Club, Woodmead, 24 May 2010, 4pm and 8pm
Strauss & Co, South Africa’s premier auction house with Stephan Welz, leading auctioneer and expert at its helm, announces yet another spectacular auction which takes place at the Johannesburg Country Club, Woodmead on 24 May 2010.   [more...]

This week’s Swelco sale in Jo’burg confirmed that while the art market – like others – may be over the worst, the recovery is not dramatic.  [more...]

Business and Arts South Africa has appointed Germaine Gamiet to the position of Marketing Manager, from May 1st.

A Fulbright Scholar, Gamiet joins BASA from the East London Guild Theatre where he is Community Engagement Coordinator.   [more...]

The National Arts Festival has announced that Sibongile Khumalo, the National Arts Festival Board Vice-Chairman and Festival Committee Chairman, will be stepping down following the 2010 Festival, ending her four year tenure which began in August 2006.   [more...]

The National Arts Festival, Grahamstown, has announced that Jay Pather will be their new festival committee chairman.  [more...]

(CNN) -- African art has long been about more than just tribal masks and traditional carvings, and now contemporary African artists are being recognized globally.

The Johannesburg Art Fair recently showcased the works of 400 African contemporary artists, attracting more than 10,000 visitors. Organizer Ross Douglas told CNN there had been an explosion of interest in African art in recent years.  [more...]