20th Century & Contemporary Art

Sale number: Jhb June 23
Location: Johannesburg
Catalogue: Download PDF catalogue

Aspire Art will impress collectors with this focused, boutique-style auction in Johannesburg. A feature of the carefully compiled collection is a strong focus on contemporary African artists. Collectors of contemporary works from Africa will be spoilt for choice with works by Thierry Oussou (Benin), Richard Mudariki (Zimbabwe) and Banele Khoza (Swaziland). Local contemporary favourites include Nandipha Mntambo, Cinga Samson and Gerhard Marx amongst others. Contemporary photographers are also well represented with works by Aida Muluneh (Ethiopia), Kudzanai Chiurai (Zimbabwe) and South African international superstar, Zanele Muholi, while important historical images are included with works of Winnie Mandela by Alf Kumalo and a portfolio of twelve works – chronicling the hardships of apartheid – from Ernest Cole’s seminal House of Bondage (1967).

A highlight of the sale is South African modernist Alexis Preller’s, Adam (1972) – a recently discovered, never before seen, work forming part of Preller’s series of Adamic-themed works from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Other significant modern pieces include a unique terrazzo sculpture by Edoardo Villa, still lifes by Maggie Laubser and works by Cecil Skotnes, Walter Battiss and J.H Pierneef.

The sale concludes with a special section of William Kentridge editioned prints led by the impressive Blue Head (1993 – 1998).

Sale contact

Name: Sarah Sinisi
Email: sarah@aspireart.net
Telephone: +27 84 568 5639

Name: Ms Marelize Van Zyl
Email: marelize@aspireart.net
Telephone: +27 83 283 7427

View Results

Lot 1 - Alf Kumalo (South Africa 1930-2012) Winnie Mandela reading a letter from her husband Nelson Mandela in 1964.

Sold for R35,000

Estimated at R40,000 - R60,000

Lot 2 - Alf Kumalo (South Africa 1930-2012) Winnie Mandela in a traditional outfit posing for a picture that was sent to her husband Nelson Mandela, 1960

Sold for R46,900

Estimated at R40,000 - R60,000

Lot 3 - Esther Mahlangu (South Africa 1935-) Ndebele Dwelling

Sold for R74,344

Estimated at R50,000 - R70,000

Lot 4 - Esther Mahlangu (South Africa 1935-) Ndebele Pattern

Sold for R120,094

Estimated at R70,000 - R90,000

Lot 5 - Jacobus Hendrik Pierneef (South Africa 1886-1957) Boerehuis, Tulbagh

Sold for R44,555

Estimated at R30,000 - R40,000

Lot 6 - Jacobus Hendrik Pierneef (South Africa 1886-1957) Okahandjaberg, Suidwes-Afrika

Sold for R68,625

Estimated at R30,000 - R40,000

Lot 7 - Jacobus Hendrik Pierneef (South Africa 1886-1957) Bosveld, N. Transvaal

Sold for R91,500

Estimated at R30,000 - R40,000

Lot 8 - Wim Botha (South Africa 1974-) Blast Wave I – IV

Sold for R91,500

Estimated at R80,000 - R120,000

Lot 9 - Aida Muluneh (Ethiopia 1974-) 99 Series (part two)

Sold for R171,562

Estimated at R150,000 - R200,000

Lot 10 - Aida Muluneh (Ethiopia 1974-) 99 Series (part seven)

Sold for R171,562

Estimated at R150,000 - R200,000

Lot 11 - Sam Nhlengethwa (South Africa 1955-) Miriam Makeba

Sold for R142,969

Estimated at R100,000 - R150,000

Lot 12 - Ernest Cole (South Africa 1940-1990) Twelve works from House of Bondage

Estimated at R500,000 - R700,000

Lot 13 - Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga (Kenya 1960-) Before Winter

Sold for R102,938

Estimated at R80,000 - R120,000

Lot 14 - Nandipha Mntambo (South Africa 1982-) Enfold Me IV

Sold for R91,500

Estimated at R80,000 - R120,000

Lot 15 - Daniel Naudé (South Africa 1984-) Group of Ankole cattle. Kiruhura district, Western Region, Uganda

Estimated at R70,000 - R90,000

Lot 16 - David Koloane (South Africa 1938-2019) Self portrait

Sold for R137,250

Estimated at R120,000 - R180,000

Lot 17 - Cinga Samson (South Africa 1986-) Figure

Sold for R240,188

Estimated at R200,000 - R300,000

Lot 18 - Gerhard Marx (South Africa 1976-) Animal Figure II

Sold for R214,950

Estimated at R250,000 - R300,000

Lot 19 - Thierry Oussou (Benin 1988-) Lien

Sold for R251,625

Estimated at R100,000 - R200,000

Lot 20 - Zanele Muholi in collaboration with the Qaqambile Beading Collective Muholi XXIII (I)

Estimated at R400,000 - R600,000

Lot 21 - Zanele Muholi (South Africa 1972-) Sine II, Melbourne, Australia

Estimated at R500,000 - R700,000

Lot 22 - Alexis Preller (South Africa 1911-1975) Adam

Estimated at R5,500,000 - R7,500,000

Lot 23 - Cecil Skotnes (South Africa 1926-2009) Starry Eyed

Estimated at R300,000 - R500,000

Lot 24 - Lucky Sibiya (South Africa 1942-1999) Untitled

Estimated at R120,000 - R180,000

Lot 25 - Edoardo Villa (South Africa 1915-2011) Abstract torso

Sold for R274,500

Estimated at R240,000 - R280,000

Lot 26 - Walter Battiss (South Africa 1906-1982) Two Robed Figures

Sold for R102,938

Estimated at R120,000 - R180,000

Lot 27 - Walter Battiss (South Africa 1906-1982) Untitled

Estimated at R250,000 - R350,000

Lot 28 - Maurice van Essche (South Africa 1906-1977) Karoo Sunset

Estimated at R100,000 - R150,000

Lot 29 - John Koenakeefe Mohl (South Africa 1903-1985) To the Wedding with the Gifts

Sold for R85,781

Estimated at R70,000 - R90,000

Lot 30 - Maggie Laubser (South African 1886–1973) Still Life with Vase and Sunflowers

Estimated at R350,000 - R500,000

Lot 31 - Maggie Laubser (South Africa 1886-1973) Still life with asters and vase

Estimated at R200,000 - R250,000

Lot 32 - Georgina Gratrix (South Africa 1982-) Comme des Garcons Flowers

Sold for R80,062

Estimated at R70,000 - R90,000

Lot 33 - Bettie Cilliers-Barnard (South Africa 1914-2010) Aronskelk

Sold for R68,625

Estimated at R70,000 - R100,000

Lot 34 - Bettie Cilliers-Barnard (South Africa 1914-2010) Prismic Lights

Sold for R68,625

Estimated at R60,000 - R80,000

Lot 35 - Jake Aikman (South Africa 1978-) Surge

Sold for R297,375

Estimated at R180,000 - R240,000

Lot 36 - Nelson Makamo (South Africa 1982-) Child with glasses

Sold for R297,375

Estimated at R130,000 - R150,000

Lot 37 - Wonder Buhle Mbambo (South African 1989-) People of the Python

Sold for R125,812

Estimated at R100,000 - R150,000

Lot 38 - Michael MacGarry (South Africa 1978-) The Organ (2+2=5)

Estimated at R60,000 - R80,000

Lot 39 - Blessing Ngobeni (South Africa 1985-) I am not a Sheep

Sold for R274,500

Estimated at R90,000 - R120,000

Lot 40 - Kudzanai Chiurai (Zimbabwe 1981-) Genesis [JE N' ISI ISI] XII

Sold for R205,875

Estimated at R180,000 - R240,000

Lot 41 - Bambo Sibiya (South Africa 1986-) Miner

Sold for R80,062

Estimated at R70,000 - R90,000

Lot 42 - Richard Mudariki (Zimbabwe 1985-) The Slave

Sold for R85,781

Estimated at R65,000 - R85,000

Lot 43 - Banele Khoza (Swaziland 1994-) Red Suit

Sold for R46,900

Estimated at R30,000 - R50,000

Lot 44 - Banele Khoza (Swaziland 1994-) Shhhhhhh

Sold for R35,175

Estimated at R30,000 - R50,000

Lot 45 - Mxolisi Vusi Beauchamp (South Africa 1979-) Mambo Jambo

Sold for R91,500

Estimated at R80,000 - R120,000

Lot 46 - Cameron Platter (South Africa 1978-) Calendar series, twelve

Estimated at R150,000 - R200,000

Lot 47 - Uwe Wittwer (Switzerland 1954-) Karussell Negativ (Merry-go-Round Negative)

Sold for R120,094

Estimated at R150,000 - R250,000

Lot 48 - William Kentridge (South Africa 1955-) Blue Head

Sold for R2,048,400

Estimated at R1,000,000 - R1,500,000