A collection of pan-African works, straddling the terrain between historical and contemporary photography, were auctioned to support the digitisation of African photographic legacies by the Photography Legacy Project (PLP). Bidders participated from across Europe, the USA and UK, Asia, Australia and Africa – a testament to Aspire’s increasing global reach and collectors’ enthusiasm for African photography.
The auction included photographic luminaries such as David Goldblatt, Alf Kumalo, G.R. Naidoo, Ranjith Kally and Ian Berry, as well as more contemporary internationally acclaimed photographers like Guy Tillim, Jo Ractliffe, Syowia Kyambi and Mikhael Subotzky. The lead lot, a portfolio of 12 silver gelatin prints from the legendary photographer Ernest Cole’s seminal 1967 book House of Bondage sold for an astounding R569,000 – a new world auction record.
Lot 66 - David Goldblatt (South Africa 1930-2018)
Sold for R200,000
Lot 92 - Alfred Khumalo © BAHA (South Africa 1930-2012)
Sold for R28,140
Lot 93 - G. R. Naidoo © BAHA (South Africa 1928-1982)
Sold for R25,795
Lot 97 - Ranjith Kally © BAHA (South Africa 1925-2017)
Sold for R23,450
Lot 98 - Ranjith Kally © BAHA (South Africa 1925-2017)
Sold for R23,450
Lot 99 - Ranjith Kally © BAHA (South Africa 1925-2017)
Sold for R23,450
Lot 100 - Bob Gosani © BAHA (South Africa 1934-1972)
Sold for R23,450
Lot 101 - Bob Gosani © BAHA (South Africa 1934-1972)
Sold for R23,450
Lot 102 - Bob Gosani © BAHA (South Africa 1934-1972)
Sold for R23,450
Lot 103 - Bob Gosani © BAHA (South Africa 1934-1972)
Sold for R56,280