The flagship Evening Sale takes place on Tue, May 26, 2026 at 19:00 while the online Day Sale closes on Tue, May 26, 2026 at 14:00. Alongside their Modern and Contemporary art sales, Strauss & Co host a special auction, Deep Roots: Selected Works from Stephan and Carmen Welz on Wed, May 27, 2026 at 16:00.
All three auctions are on show at Strauss & Co's Houghton viewing room, with a number of events on the weekend of May 23 – May 24, 2026 that will delve deeper into the incredible stories behind many of the works on sale. We highly recommend joining a specialist-led walkabout – details below.
Modern and Contemporary art: Evening Sale
The Evening Sale brings the best of South African art under one roof, with a number of notable works. Perhaps our favourite for both its historic weight and impressive detail is Penny Siopis's Al Fresco (starting at R2.5 million). Described by art specialist Alastair Meredith as the most historic work Strauss & Co have auctioned, this monumental piece depicts a mining-ravaged land using collage and oils, and formed part of Siopis' History paintings. It's at once mesmerising, and a damning vision of colonialism and extractivism.
Otherwise, keep an eye out for a stunning pre-exile work by Gerard Sekoto, Horse and Cart, Sophiatown, a luminous street scene in dominant tones of red and pink that captures the spirit of Sophiatown before its destruction by Apartheid. A rare and deeply moving work, it anchors a powerful consignment celebrating South Africa's pioneering black modernists, including George Pemba, David Koloane, Ephraim Ngatane and Alfred Thoba.
You can also expect iconic landscapes by JH Pierneef and an untitled 1994 drawing by William Kentridge for a Mango Groove music video he directed (starting at R1.8 million). An unseen Alexis Preller, The Portuguese Birds (starting at R450,000), returns from Canada and there's an iconic Walter Battiss self-portrait that head curator at Strauss & Co, Wilhelm van Rensburg, has spent over a decade searching for.
Needless to say, the auction doesn't disappoint, with the list here barely scratching the surface of what's on sale.
Modern and Contemporary art: Day Sale
The online day sale should not be overlooked and, while it may not have the big, big hitters, it features a compelling focus on abstraction in South Africa. Here, one of the highlights is Jan Visser's Nkosi Sikelel i-Afrika (starting at R40,000), a huge and incredibly detailed work that immediately sucks you in as you enter the showroom. Other standouts include works by Esther Mahlangu, Cathy Abraham, Durant Sihlali and Elizabeth Castle, alongside sculptures by Jackson Hlungwani and Usha Seejarim. Bids close in staggered increments on Tue, May 26 from 14:00 onwards.
Deep Roots: Selected Works from Stephan and Carmen Welz
The week at Strauss & Co closes with a more personal and historically rich offering: Deep Roots: Selected Works from Stephan and Carmen Welz. This live-virtual auction draws on the extraordinary collection of the legendary South African auctioneer Stephan Welz and his wife Carmen Welz, spanning modern and contemporary art, exquisite Cape furniture, ceramics and a remarkable library of books on silverware. Taking up the smaller exhibition space at Strauss, it feels like stepping into the world of the Welz family, with many artworks – figurative to abstract styles – by the couple's son, Jean Welz, on auction. More on this soon.
Activations and walkabouts not to miss
Coinciding with the weekend of RMB Latitudes Art Fair, Strauss & Co throw open their doors for an immersive weekend viewing overseen by Wilhelm van Rensburg. This will include a panel discussion with Dan Corder on Sat, May 23 at 12:00 and a Sunday Art Class with Jo Voysey on Sun, May 24 at 10:00. In addition, there will be two specialist-led walkabouts on Sat, May 23 at 15:00 and Sun, May 24 at 11:00. We always find these fascinating, and can't recommend them enough.
And there's a second destination to add to your itinerary: Strauss & Co will have a stand in the Mezzanine & Rooftop section at the RMB Latitudes Art Fair at Shepstone Gardens exploring their history since 2009. With the fair's exciting Nigeria in Focus international programme running simultaneously, it's entirely possible, and deeply rewarding, to move between the two venues to soak up the full breadth of the city's art offerings while exploring the fascinating timeline of the auction house's history.
Tune in: The Corder Report podcast
Can't make it to the gallery before the sale? Get your ears around The Corder Report. Strauss & Co is proudly sponsoring eight episodes of Dan Corder's acclaimed podcast in the lead-up to the auctions. Each episode features insider stories, artwork highlights and fascinating deep-dives into South African art history and the local market – essential listening for anyone serious about this week's sales, or just wanting to learn more about South African art. Find it on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
The programme at a glance: Strauss & Co's May 2026 auctions
Day Sale (online only): Closes Tuesday, May 26, 2026 from 14:00Evening Sale (live virtual): Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 19:00
Deep Roots (live virtual): Wednesday, 27 May 2026 at 16:00
Walkabouts: Sat, May 23 at 15:00 (RSVP) and Sun, May 24 at 11:00 (RSVP)
Strauss & Co x Dan Corder panel: Sat, May 23 at 12:00 (RSVP required)
Sunday art class: Sun, May 24 at 10:00 (RSVP required)
Viewing times: Mon – Fri from 09:00 – 16:00, Sat, May 23 and Sun, May 24 from 09:00 – 16:00
Venue: Strauss & Co's Joburg showroom (89 Central Street, Houghton)
Visit straussart.co.za for more information and to view the lots.
