6th Mar, 2024 18:00
20th Century & Contemporary Art
60
Kevin Roberts (South Africa 1965-2009)
Lady and the Unicorn
oil on panel
Artwork date: 1997
Signature details: signed and dated bottom left; printed with the artist's name, the title, medium and dimensions on a label on the reverse
Sold for R100,000
Estimated at R120,000 - R160,000
Condition Report
The overall condition is good.
Minor fly specks in areas.
Please note, we are not qualified conservators and these reports give our opinion as to the general condition of the works. We advise that bidders view the lots in person to satisfy themselves with the condition of prospective purchases.
oil on panel
Artwork date: 1997
Signature details: signed and dated bottom left; printed with the artist's name, the title, medium and dimensions on a label on the reverse
(1)
110 x 110 cm; framed size: 130 x 130 x 3 cm
Provenance:
Private collection, Pretoria.
ABOUT THE ARTWORK
South African surrealist painter Kevin Roberts was born in Rustenburg in the North West province. He completed a National Diploma in Fine Arts at Technikon Pretoria in 1988, followed by a Higher Diploma which he achieved with distinction.
Skilfully, creating picturesque, dream landscapes filled with recurring symbols and motifs, Roberts’ works almost always include images of female figures which become non-literal carriers of meaning. They are placed in landscapes amongst nature, alongside birds, cattle, fish, horses, or as is the case in this work, centaurs.
With his distinctive style rendered in invisible brushstrokes with muted colours in large planes accompanied by flattening line, the artist paints tableaus that are uniquely serene in character. Creating a heightened sense of mystery and intrigue through the careful use of rhythmic pattern and obscure symbols, what makes Kevin Roberts truly exceptional is the way in which he allows the viewer enough room to make their own interpretation. Standing before the large-scale Lady and the Unicorn, one is confronted with the exceptional beauty of the work and skill of the artist but is also offered boundless possibilities to be drawn in and engage – and to create endless meaning out of the intricate image of a woman, unicorn horn, tea, centaurs, leaves and a feather set against a vast field of fine and meticulously painted grass.
COLLECTOR’S NOTE
- In 1995, Roberts was crowned the winner of the Absa L’Atelier Award following which he spent several months in France, at the famous Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris.
- Important fairs and biennales include the 1stJohannesburg Biennale in 1995 and the Art London fair in Chelsea in 1999.
COLLECTIONS:
The artist is represented in numerous local and international collections, notably the Sasol Art Collection, Johannesburg; ABSA Bank Collection, Johannesburg; Javett Art Centre, Pretoria; Telkom Art Collection, Johannesburg and the Sanlam Art Collection Bellville.
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Auction: 20th Century & Contemporary Art, 6th Mar, 2024
HIGHLIGHTS
Currency conversions are based on the exchange rate at the auction's start time and date. Bidders should verify the current exchange rate on the day of the sale. All invoices and payments must be made in South African Rands.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Logistics
While we endeavour to assist our Clients as much as possible, we require artwork(s) to be delivered and/or collected from our premises by the Client. In instances where a Client is unable to deliver or collect artwork(s), Aspire staff is available to assist in this process by outsourcing the services to one of our preferred Service Providers. The cost for this will be for the Client’s account, with an additional Handling Fee of 15% charged on top of the Service Provider’s invoice.
Aspire Art provides inter-company transfer services for its Clients between Johannesburg and Cape Town branches. These are based on the size of the artwork(s), and charged as follows:
Small (≤60x90x10 cm): R480
Medium (≤90x120x15 cm): R960
Large (≤120x150x20 cm): R1,440
Over-size: Special quote
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Collection/delivery ≤20km: R400
Collection/delivery 20km>R800≤50km
Collection/delivery >50km: Special quote
Packaging
A flat fee of R100 will be added to the invoice for packaging of unframed works on paper.
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For buyers from outside South Africa, we will keep the artworks you have purchased in storage during the year and then ship all the works you have acquired during the year together, so the shipping costs are reduced. At the end of the annual period, we will source various quotes to get you the best price, and ship all your artworks to your desired address at once.
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Handling Fee
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