AT FEATURE: Icons of 20th Century and Contemporary Southern African Art lead Aspire’s debut 2023 Live Auction in Cape Town.

Aspire Art is proud to announce highlights from the March live sale of 20th Century & Contemporary Art from Southern Africa. Taking place on 15 March, the auction features an exceptional collection of 80 lots, specially selected for the discerning collector.

Showcasing a wide range of works across a multitude of mediums, the collection spans a century of significant contributions to the art historical canon in Africa.

Robert Hodgins, A Day at the Office, 2003. Estimate: R 500 000 – 700 000

Marelize van Zyl, Senior Art Specialist says, “Kickstarting Aspire’s 2023 programme, we are delighted to present our March Auction of 20th Century & Contemporary Art – a sale that has become a highly anticipated event in the Cape Town auction calendar, showcasing and recognising works by truly exceptional artists from Southern Africa across various categories”.

Contemporary highlights include seminal works by William Kentridge, Robert Hodgins, Sue Williamson, Helmut Starcke, Wim Botha, Johannes Phokela, Zander Blom, Athi Patra-Ruga, Dan Halter and Georgina Gratrix amongst others. International superstars include Pascale Marthine Tayou and Francisco Vidal.

Photographic works feature prominently as a specialist section and include limited editioned prints by celebrated documentary photographers Alf Kumalo and David Goldblatt alongside incredible photographic works by artists like Mary Sibande, Ayana Jackson, Candice Breitz and the award-winning Mikhael Subotzky.

Leading the sale is a group of important and rare works by South African modern masters, most significantly a selection of expressive drawings by Dumile Feni and paintings by social realist George Pemba. Works by Louis Maqhubela, Lucky Sibiya and Trevor Mahoba are also on offer. The modern collection is complimented by an early landscape painted by J.H. Pierneef and a beautifully rendered gauche by Irma Stern from 1951. A stunning abstract work by Christoe Coetzee, acclaimed for his involvement in the international avant-garde movements during the 1950s and 1960s, is sure to attract the attention of serious collectors.

The live auction takes place on Wednesday, 15 March 2023 at 6 pm from Aspire’s auction room at 37A Somerset Road in De Waterkant, Cape Town, and will be live-streamed. Bidders can take part in the room, by telephone or online.