17/05/2024
Trevor Coleman
A Beloved South African Painter.
Photograph of the artist courtesy of https://latitudes.online/artists/trevor_coleman
Trevor Coleman, beloved abstract artist extraordinaire, was born in Johannesburg in 1936. In in 1960, at the age of 24, Coleman obtained his Diploma in Graphic Art and Design from the Witwatersrand Technical College (now part of the University of Johannesburg), after briefly studying Geology and Chemistry at the University of the Witwatersrand. It was also in the year 1960 that the artist left for London where he enrolled part-time at the Central School of Art and Crafts to study painting, lithography and textile design. The school would later be renamed the Central School of Arts and Design in 1966 and merged with Saint Martin's School of Art to form Central Saint Martin’s College of Arts and Design in 1989.
His first showing in London was in the 1961 Painting group exhibition at the Lincoln Gallery in Knightsbridge and in 1963, Coleman held his first London solo exhibition. Between 1961 and 1965, Coleman presented numerous solo exhibitions and took part in various group exhibitions in London, including the Young Commonwealth Artists 1964 exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery. “[Coleman] returned six years later with something never seen before in South African art; hard edge painting. Before his self-imposed exile to London, as the 1950s became the 1960s SA lagged behind global trends of the avant-garde in Europe and America. Coleman’s only experience of abstraction was through tiny reproductions in books that could never compete with the visceral experience of standing in front of such modern masterpieces. Hard edge painting is in many ways a logical conclusion to the investigations into abstraction started by Jackson Pollock and the abstract expressionists. Yet there is something markedly different here; control and precision.”[1]
Lot 56: Positive Negative| R 8 000 - 12 000
In Aspire Art’s 20th/21st Century Classics Timed-Online auction we are proud to present Positive Negative [Lot 56], made in 1966, which is a perfect example of Coleman’s earlier avant-garde edge. It was painted the year the artist returned from London and a year later, he would present this hard-edge abstraction to the South African public in an exhibition at Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg, in 1967. Between that exhibition and 1977, Coleman held ten solo exhibitions and various group exhibitions across South Africa. In 1969 the South African Association of Arts (Southern Transvaal Chapter) in Pretoria presented a ten-year retrospective of his paintings.
Lot 52: Abstract figure | R 20 000 - 30 000
After 1977, his works, would coalesce his masterful precision and understanding of colour and work towards fragmented, organic abstraction and figurative abstract works. At this time Coleman was deeply influenced by his travels throughout Africa, the Mediterranean, and India and, incorporating flat fields of vibrant colours and moving between complete abstraction and figures in his works – as illustrated perfectly in Abstract composition (2004) [Lot 53] and Abstract figure (1982) [Lot 52].
Lot 53: Abstract Composition | R 10 000 - 15 000
Coleman’s artworks have been included in numerous historical review exhibitions including; 1910-2010: From Pierneef to Gugulective at the Iziko South African National Gallery (2010), Baroque Meets Modern as part of the permanent exhibition of the Michaelis Collection at the Old Town House, Iziko South African National Gallery. Coleman has featured in SMAC Art Gallery’s three part series of exhibitions titled Abstract Art from the Isolation Years (2007, 2008, 2009). The gallery also included his work in DIVISIONS: Aspects of South African Art 1948-2010 in 2010, Abstract South African Art: Revisited (2011), and the contemporary resurrection thereof; BACK TO THE FUTURE: Abstract South African Art, Past and Present in 2013.
[1] Patridge, M. (2014). ‘The avant-garde painter SA shaped’, Business Day, 3 July 2014. [online] Available:
Auction
20th/21 Century Classics
9 - 21 May 2024
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16/05/2024
The Vibrant World of Ardmore Ceramics
Celebrating Collaborative Creativity
Through its blend of artistic excellence and social impact, Ardmore Ceramics has carved out a unique niche in the global art scene. Each piece from the studio is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of South Africa and the talent and dedication of the artisans who bring these creations to life.
14/05/2024
Peter Clarke
Creating Visual Narratives Through the Decades
Aspire Art presents in its 20th/21st Century Classics Timed-Online auction, a collection of works by Peter Clarke from key periods within his personal life and artistic career.
12/04/2024
Tretchikoff's Eternal Palette: The Timeless Dance of Colours
Tales that go beyond the canvas, stories of chance meetings and moments frozen in time – Aspire Art is excited to bring to market exquisite works by prolific artist, the one and only Vladimir Tretchikoff.
11/04/2024
Artist Focus: Mashudu Nevhutalu
Aspire Art features a work by Johannesburg-born artist Mashudu Nevhutalu (1992), who reworks found photographs into evocative paintings, exploring shared memories and fluid histories on their current Contemporary Online sale.
09/04/2024
Legacy of Visionaries: Celebrating the New Group Artists and Their Global Impact
Taking Flight: A Selection of Works from the Phoenix Collection showcases exquisite pieces that transcend expression and celebrate artists that have made significant strides in South African art history. The artists featured highlight the transformative impact of the New Group movement, with a notable number also affirming their global impact having graced the prestigious halls of international biennales.
27/02/2024
Marlene Dumas: Existential Doubt
An Early Painting that Shows the Artist’s Confidence with Subject and Paint
Aspire Art is excited to bring to market an early painting by internationally renowned artist Marlene Dumas.
19/02/2024
Notes on The Legacy of Photography in South Africa: Past and Present
Aspire Art proudly celebrates and honours the heritage of photography by presenting a collection of works of notable photographers who have been witnessing, documenting and advocating through their lens in our current Timed-Online sale, Photographs & Editions.
14/02/2024
Goats, A Thematic Metaphor in Sam Nhlengethwa’s work
Uncover the symbolism in Sam Nhlengethwa's series of goat etchings featuring in Aspire Art's Timed-Online Auction, Photographs & Editions, now open for bidding from 8 February to 20 February 2024.
01/12/2023
The World Observed
Rarely seen moments of play and recreation in Dumile Feni’s drawings
A wonderful selection of Dumile Feni drawings, revealing rarely-seen moments of playfulness and recreation, feature in Aspire Art's timed Online auction, FIESTA: Art & Collectables. Open for bidding from 28 November to 5 December 2023.
23/11/2023
IN PRIVATE: Artworks from the Estate of the late Andrew da Conceicao
Aspire Art proudly presents a selection of work from the collection of the late Andrew da Conceicao. The intimate auction brings 33 artworks – collected in private – to a wider collecting audience, to embrace, enjoy and celebrate a gallerist who made a remarkable contribution to South African art.
15/11/2023
Capturing Johannesburg
David Goldblatt on auction, 16 November
A significant set of David Goldblatt works taken in the 1970s and 80s are on offer at Aspire on the 16 November
09/09/2023
Auction Highlights: David Goldblatt
Aspire Art brings a unique collection of Goldblatt's to auction
Aspire Art is thrilled to bring a significant collection of David Goldblatt works to auction on Wednesday, 13 September in Cape Town.
07/09/2023
Auction Highlight: Gerard Sekoto
Aspire Art highlights rare Sekoto at auction
Aspire Art is delighted to present an early masterpiece, Street Corner by Gerard Sekoto as the leading artwork in their upcoming live auction taking place on Wednesday, 13 September in Cape Town.
25/07/2023
Through the Lens
Alf Kumalo and Muhammad Ali's Enduring Friendship
Aspire Art is thrilled to offer two memorable photographs of Muhammad Ali, taken by Alf Kumalo during the 1970s on their Timed-Online auction, Photographs + Editions, open from 20 July to 1 August 2023. A testament to the friendship between the men, the images not only stand as a visual document – but speak a thousand words – of the comradeship between the photographer and the boxer.
22/06/2023
IMPRESSIONS: Works from the Marilyn Martin Collection
Aspire Art is honoured to offer art lovers a rare opportunity to acquire works of art from the private collection of the late Marilyn Martin. Included are works by Walter Battiss, Lisa Brice, Peter Clarke, Dan Halter, Louis Jansen van Vuuren, William Kentridge, Azaria Mbatha, Fanlo Mkhize, Brett Murray, Dan Rakgoathe and Cecily Sash amongst others. The sale is open from 22 June to 4 July 2023.
22/06/2023
Dumile Feni's Passion for Drawing
Discover the Enduring Passion of Dumile Feni: From Childhood Sketches to Artistic Mastery
Although Dumile Feni worked in different disciplines including painting and sculpture, drawing was the artistic talent he engaged in for the longest time. The artist began creating drawings from the age of 6 and it was to become a most fundamental and well-loved part of his practice. Aspire Art's current Timed-Online auction, 20th/21st Century Classics, includes a selection of delicate sketches from the collection of the late Desmond Fisher.
30/05/2023
Auction Highlight: William Kentridge
Aspire Art highlights Kentridge editions at auction
On the 7 June 2023 Aspire Art will offer 11 exceptional William Kentridge editioned prints at auction on their 20th Century and Contemporary sale in Johannesburg. Highlighting the artist’s practice in printmaking over nearly 3 decades the collection provides an ideal opportunity to reflect on the importance of printmaking in William Kentridge’s practice and the early prevalence of the technique in his artmaking.
26/05/2023
Auction Highlight: Alexis Preller
Aspire Art unveils newly found Adam, by artist Alexis Preller for Auction in June 2023.
Aspire Art is delighted to present a mesmerising painting Adam, from 1972, by the lauded South African artist Alexis Preller as the leading lot in their upcoming live auction of 20th Century and Contemporary Art which will take place on the 7th of June, in Johannesburg.
14/04/2023
Think Big When Collecting
A Case for Larger than Life Artworks: Conrad Botes
Aspire Art Cataloguer & Researcher Micaela Wentzel emphasises large artworks that make a statement, elevate space and capture attention.
13/04/2023
A Pop to the Collection
Discover the Bold and Graphic Works of Motel Seven, Conrad Botes, Asha Zero, and Mr. Brainwash
Aspire Art, Cataloguer & Researcher, Mtha Poni looks at the elements of Pop Art in the Contemporary Art Timed-Online Auction collection
11/04/2023
Start Collecting Art Today
Young and eager to collect: You don't need a JAY-Z-level bank balance to acquire great works
Cataloguer & Researcher, Nonkululeko Sibande suggests 3 works from Aspire Art's Contemporary Art Timed-Online Auction to start an art collection.
06/04/2023
Timed-Online Auction | Contemporary Art
Contemporary Art to Collect Right Now
Aspire Art invites you to delve into exciting and fresh works, bold colours and current themes in the Timed-Online auction CONTEMPORARY ART. Including carefully selected, local and international pieces, collectors will enjoy unique perspectives and mediums from some of the most popular artists in the current contemporary art market including William Kentridge, Zander Blom, Georgina Gratrix, Jake Aikman, Simphiwe Ndzube, Mongezi Ncaphayi, Sepideh Mehraban, Michael MacGarry and more!
08/03/2023
Panel Discussion
Celebrating Xhosa Heritage: George Pemba and SEK Mqhayi in conversation with Lovedale Press
Framed within the context of great Xhosa painter, George Pemba and Xhosa poet SEK Mqhayi, join Aspire Art this Saturday, 11 March 2023, at 11am to hear Anelisa Mangcu, Dr Athambile Masola and Sanele Ntshingana talk to us about the Lovedale press and the poets, writers and artists who have contributed to its legacy.
07/03/2023
Highlights: George Pemba
Important Pemba paintings come to auction
Aspire Art are are thrilled to present three wonderful works by George Pemba in their upcoming Live sale of 20th Century and Contemporary Art on 15 March in Cape Town.
07/03/2023
Aspire Art’s debut 2023 Live Auction Highlights
Icons of 20th Century and Contemporary Southern African Art lead Aspire’s debut 2023 Live Auction
Aspire Art is proud to announce highlights from the March live sale of 20th Century & Contemporary Art from Southern Africa. Taking place on 15 March, the auction features an exceptional collection of 77 lots, specially selected for the discerning collector. Showcasing a wide range of works across a multitude of mediums, the collection spans a century of significant contributions to the art historical canon in Southern Africa.
23/02/2023
EDITIONS Auction Highlights
Kholisa Thomas selects her favourites
Kholisa Thomas, Client Advisory at Aspire Art picks her favourite works from EDITIONS, a Timed Online auction taking place from 16 February - 1 March 2023.
15/02/2023
The Allure of Etching
Fine lines and delicate details in the art of Penny Siopis
Primarily regarded as a painter, during the 1990s Siopis extended her range of media to include monumental installations, printmaking and video. We explore the etching technique and the artist's versatile use of the medium.
15/02/2023
Silkcreen Fantasies
Printmaking in the work of Robert Hodgins and Walter Battiss
South African art greats Walter Battiss and Robert Hodgins are well-known and well-loved for their magnificent oil paintings but Battiss and Hodgins cognoscenti have also come to appreciate their printmaking. We look at the screenprinting technique and explore the importance of print in the work of these masters.
15/02/2023
A Master of the Medium
William Kentridge as printmaker
An integral part of the artist's practice, printmaking spans William Kentridge's entire career. We take a look at the early beginnings of his print production and some of the important collaborations he has developed over his career.