Strauss & Co’s flagship live sales are a highlight of the Joburg art calendar, with the auction and pre-viewing exhibitions offering the best snapshot of the history of South African art you can find in the city. We went to see the lots and chat with the specialists at Strauss about the stories behind the works; as usual we left with a wealth of new knowledge and a few too many artworks on our wish lists.
Much of the noise in the lead up to the May Modern and Contemporary Art auction has been around Vladimir Tretchikoff’s large oil painting, Lady from the Orient. Part of what drove Tretchikoff to fame was his prints and how he was able to take his bold and theatrical paintings outside of the gallery walls. A staple on mugs, totes, calendars and prints, a part of us was doubtful whether the original would feel any different. And while the team at Strauss proudly showed us Lady from the Orient emblazoned tote bags, the painting itself undoubtedly stole the show. Prominently hung at one end of the long, rectangular gallery space, she glows from right across the room.
Russian-born, Tretchikoff moved to South Africa in 1946 and it was here that he painted some of his most famous works. Lady from the Orient is one of a quartet of portraits which have become instantly recognisable. Painted in 1955, Lady from the Orient depicts Valerie Howe, the daughter of a Cape Town greengrocer. Tretchikoff’s vivid and indulgent colours transform her into an icon, and it's hard not to get lost in the deep golds and greens. It is one of the few works still in circulation from Tretchikoff’s signature period just after his move to South Africa. Upon seeing the original, we can understand why it has been replicated millions of times. Another, very different work from Tretchikoff also comes up for auction in Springboks versus Wales – depicting the tumult of a rugby match.
As mentioned, Strauss’ auctions and pre-viewings span the South African art canon, and their May auction is no different, with works from the late-19th century up until the 2020s. Alistair Meredith, chief of art, pointed out how themes begin to emerge naturally when bringing the works together.
One such theme reflecting South Africa’s tumultuous political history is that of labour. Here, most noteworthy is a pre-exile Gerard Sekoto, The Mother on the Road depicts the precarious balance of caring for children and work for black women under apartheid. The cool blues and thick brushstrokes give the seemingly tranquil scene a tinge of sadness and weight. Then, George Pemba’s The Road Diggers pays homage to Sekoto’s Song of the Pick and underscores the essential role black labour played in the construction of Johannesburg. Strauss & Co’s exhibition Working Life in South Africa: Gerard Sekoto & Lena Hugo, on show until May 30, 2025, further highlights the important work and influence of the black modernists, and it is fantastic to see Lena Hugo’s masterful pastels in dialogue with the work of Sekoto.
Departing from the more realist works of Sekoto and Pemba are two gorgeous abstracts by David Koloane and Bill Ainslie. Tempest and 44 Landscape were created in tandem at the Thupelo Workshops, where they explored collaborative forms of art making. A departure from the socialist realism prevalent among South African artists in the 1980s, their scratches and marks of colour are no less complex to look at. Seeing them alongside the more realist works shows the depth of South African art.
Other highlights to look out for include a William Kentridge from his Masked Ball series, a selection of paintings by Irma Stern, and a contorted charcoal beast by Dumile Feni. We also loved the delightfully playful Uhanga Dihangara (Coat Hanger Project) in collaboration with Dobbin Books and Artist Proof Studio, which includes 24 watercolours by Robert Hodgins. The sale of these will go towards the bursary scheme at Artist Proof Studio.
For Joburg history enthusiasts, an early Frans Oerder depicts a view of what is now the Zoo Lake. While the Tretchikoff is expected to draw R5–7 million, among the more affordable, but no less sublime, artworks up for auction are two charming landscapes by Neil Rodger, with a starting bid of R6,000.
Cosmic artist Karel Nel has one of the largest works on auction in Point Reyes (Berkeley), while a variety of minute pieces, including Jake Aikman's Janus (Blistering Barnacles/Book I) and Alexis Preller's Vase of Flowers also took our fancy. We're envious of whoever ends up with Alfred Thoba's wry and stylised piece, The Apple Tree. And, if you dare, Edoardo Villa's candelabra, Caged Light, would be a dramatic addition to any dinner table.
We could keep you here for much longer if we were to try and capture the full scale and breadth of Strauss and Co’s May auction in words. The only way to get a sense of it is to go and view the works for yourself. We recommend joining them for one of their specialist-led walkabouts on Sat, May 24 and Sun, May 25 at 11:00. For those who will be at RMB Latitudes 2025, a shuttle will be running between the fair and Strauss showroom.
Dates and details
Live auction: Tue, May 27 at 19:00; register hereOnline auction: Mon, May 12 – Tue, May 27; view the catalogue
Viewing times: Mon, May 12 – Tue, May 27 09:00 – 16:00; Sat, May 17 and Sun, May 18, by appointment; Sat, May 24 and Sun, May 25 09:00 – 16:00
Walkabouts: Sat, May 24 and Sun, May 25 at 11:00
Latitudes preview: Fri, May 23 from 12:00 – 19:00; Sat, May 24 from 10:00 – 19:00; Sun, May 25 from 10:00 – 17:00
Talks: Sat, May 25 at 12:00 – Sound & Vision: Exploring South Africa’s Diverse Culture through Music and Art by researcher and cataloguer Richard "Specs" Ndimande
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