Including The Gary Eisenberg Collection, The Linda Givon Collection, The Photographic Archival and Preservation Association and other properties
Strauss & Co is pleased to announce the upcoming auction, “Ways of Seeing: South African and International Photography,” offering a unique opportunity to acquire works that explore the dimensions of personhood, subjectivity, and community through diverse photographic practices.
This historic sale — the first auction by Strauss & Co featuring photography exclusively—brings together a curated selection of prominent collections; Gary Eisenberg, Linda Givon, The Photographic Archival and Preservation Association and other properties.
“Ways of Seeing: South African and International Photography” includes a diverse array of images—ranging from intimate portraits to depictions of the physical and built environment—reflecting on the ethics of seeing and the dynamic interplay between viewer and subject.
Alongside an important suite of African photographers, the sale highlights some of the most significant international photographers in the history of the medium—Bill Brandt, Nan Goldin, Bettina Rheims, Sebastião Salgado, Viviane Sassen, Wolfgang Tillmans, Joel-Peter Witkin, André Kertész, Roman Vishniac, and Youssef Nabil. Many of these works are rarely seen in local collections and exhibitions.
The critique of the act of looking itself is rigorously explored in the works featured in this collection. From a series of works by a group of women and non-binary artists —Nan Goldin, Jillian Lochner, Zanele Muholi, and Bettina Rheims — who invite us to consider personhood through the nude body, David Goldblatt and Mikhael Subotzky whose work explores contemporary South African history through spatial politics to Robin Rhode through his highly conceptual and playful images.
A significant portion of the sale features works from The Gary Eisenberg Collection, honouring his legacy as an immigration lawyer who devoted his life to justice before his recent passing. This inclusion is consigned with profound gratitude from his wife Dominique Eisenberg.
This extraordinary sale, dedicated entirely to this captivating medium, will take place on Wednesday 18th of September at 7pm. The sale forms part of September auction week which includes a special single-artist focus sale of Hylton Nel and Modern and Contemporary Art Evening sale both taking place on Tuesday 17th September.
“Ways of Seeing: South African and International Photography” is available for viewing at our Woodstock offices in Cape Town from Tuesday 27th August. The exhibition will be complemented by a series of events, including walkabouts and discussions. For more information, please visit: www.straussart.co.za
Mohau Modisakeng
SOUTH AFRICAN 1986-
Untitled
accompanied by a copy of a Brundyn + invoice, inscribed with the artist’s name, dated 2014, numbered 1/3 +2AP, the title and medium
ink-jet print on Epson Ultra Smooth
149 by 198 by 2,5cm, unframed
Youssef Nabil
EGYPTIAN 1972-
Hope to Die in My Sleep – Self-Portrait, Viñales
signed, dated 2005 and numbered 4/10
hand-coloured silver gelatin print
image size: 25,5 by 38,5cm; 42 by 55 by 3cm including frame
David Goldblatt
SOUTH AFRICAN 1930-2018
Windmills, Ventersburg, Free State, 6 August 2003
signed, dated 6 August 2003, and numbered 2/6 in pencil in the margin; inscribed with the artist’s name, the date, title and medium on a Goodman Gallery label adhered to the reverse
digital print on 100% cotton rag paper in pigment inks
image size: 97 by 122cm; 121,5 by 146 by 4cm including frame
Pieter Hugo
SOUTH AFRICAN 1976-
Pieter Hugo, Cape Town, South Africa, 2004
signed, numbered PP and inscribed with the title in pencil in the margin; from an edition of 3 + 1AP
pigment ink print on cotton rag paper
image size: 99 by 79,5cm; 119,5 by 97 by 3,5cm including frame
Joel-Peter Witkin
AMERICAN 1939-
Venus Genetrix
signed, dated April and May 1981 and numbered 1/15
vintage silver gelatin print
image size: 37 by 37cm ; 64,5 by 60 by 4cm including frame
Mary Sibande
SOUTH AFRICAN 1982-
The Locus
2019
accompanied by a SMAC Gallery certificate of authenticity, signed, dated 8 November 2023, inscribed with the artist’s name, the date, numbered 1/10, the title and medium
inkjet on Hahnemühle photo rag paper on a Dibond Mount
image size: 126 by 87cm; 135 by 96,5 by 4,5cm including frame