--- title: "Strauss & Co’s Perspectives on Africa is a Journey Through Modern and Contemporary Art" description: "Strauss & Co’s 'Perspectives on Africa' auction highlights the depth of African art, from modernist icons to contemporary visionaries. Featuring works by Irma Stern, Gerard Sekoto, William Kentridge, and more, the sale explores identity, history, and innovation through diverse artistic expressions." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "Sponsored Content" author: "Strauss & Co" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/strauss-and-co/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-13-strauss-cos-perspectives-on-africa-is-a-journey-through-modern-and-contemporary-art/" published: "2025-02-13T14:16:54" updated: "2025-02-13T14:16:55" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 801 --- # Strauss & Co’s Perspectives on Africa is a Journey Through Modern and Contemporary Art > Strauss & Co’s 'Perspectives on Africa' auction highlights the depth of African art, from modernist icons to contemporary visionaries. Featuring works by Irma Stern, Gerard Sekoto, William Kentridge, and more, the sale explores identity, history, and innovation through diverse artistic expressions. By Strauss & Co · Published 13 February 2025, 16:16 SAST · Updated 13 February 2025, 16:16 SAST ## Key points - Get ready to dive into a kaleidoscope of creativity as Strauss & Co presents ‘Perspectives on Africa: Modern and Contemporary Art’—a live auction that promises to blend the rich tapestry of African narratives with the sharp brushstrokes of modernity, all while challenging our perceptions of identity, culture, and the art market itself. - Strauss & Co announces the live auction ‘Perspectives on Africa: Modern and Contemporary Art’ on February 17, 2025, showcasing a diverse range of African art. - The auction features curated sales, including artist-focused collections highlighting innovative materials and cultural narratives across Africa. - Celebrated artists like Irma Stern and William Kentridge will present works that explore themes of identity, tradition, and urbanization. - A series of events leading up to the auction will engage collectors in discussions about cultural responsibility and the evolving art market. ## Content Strauss & Co is pleased to present ‘[*Perspectives on Africa: Modern and Contemporary Art’*](https://shared.straussart.co.za/auctions/360/ecatalogue/?_gl=1*kqmbk7*_gcl_au*MTE4MTY2NDgwMy4xNzM2NDEwOTM2*_ga*MTIwMTQ3OTQ1OS4xNzM4NTg2NDcw*_ga_PRL21JW647*MTczODc1MzUyNC4yLjEuMTczODc1MzU5Ny41MS4wLjA.)*.* The live auction, taking place on Monday, 17 February 2025, is accompanied by a curated selection of sales, including [“*Prelude to Podlashuc: A Glimpse into the Creative World of Alexander Podlashuc”*](https://shared.straussart.co.za/auctions/440/ecatalogue/?_gl=1*18yyotr*_gcl_au*MTE4MTY2NDgwMy4xNzM2NDEwOTM2*_ga*MTIwMTQ3OTQ1OS4xNzM4NTg2NDcw*_ga_PRL21JW647*MTczODc1MzUyNC4yLjEuMTczODc1MzUzMi41Mi4wLjA.) —an artist-focused auction [—“*Woven Legacies: Tradition & Innovation,*”](https://shared.straussart.co.za/auctions/429/ecatalogue/?_gl=1*1mk8ctn*_gcl_au*MTE4MTY2NDgwMy4xNzM2NDEwOTM2*_ga*MTIwMTQ3OTQ1OS4xNzM4NTg2NDcw*_ga_PRL21JW647*MTczODc1MzUyNC4yLjEuMTczODc1MzY0Ny4xLjAuMA..) which highlights a diverse range of materials, techniques, and processes from regions across Southern, Central and Western Africa, showcasing how utility, aesthetics and cultural identity converge and [“Botterblom Collection: Tapestries from the Karoo”](https://shared.straussart.co.za/auctions/364/ecatalogue/?_gl=1*qxwaxj*_gcl_au*MTE4MTY2NDgwMy4xNzM2NDEwOTM2*_ga*MTIwMTQ3OTQ1OS4xNzM4NTg2NDcw*_ga_PRL21JW647*MTczODc1MzUyNC4yLjEuMTczODc1MzY4NS4yNC4wLjA.) by Frances VH Mohair Studio. ‘*Perspectives on Africa: Modern and Contemporary Art’*, explores the complexity, beauty and fluidity of perspectives through the lens of African art and art made by artists with significant ties to the continent. The idea of a perspective presents itself as naturally open and porous — with the possibility for metamorphosis and reshaping. It is a dynamic process that blends seeing, feeling and understanding, often reflecting on how conditions can change and evolve as objects, people and ideas interact with the world and each other. ‘*Perspectives on Africa: Modern and Contemporary Art*’ coalesces the rich and varied connections between Africa and its artistic expressions, presenting works that span figuration, landscape, and abstraction, inviting collectors to engage with the powerful narratives that emerge from the continent’s evolving perspectives. These works reflect layered meanings, both as a method of representing depth and dimension and as a way of framing one’s understanding of the world. The dialogue begins with modernist interpretations, where the complexities of colonial encounters, post-independence aspirations and indigenous practices are explored. These works capture a period of transformation and juncture — balancing the tensions between past and present, in an increasingly modernising world. Among the celebrated artists is [**Irma Stern**](https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/lot/360-17-feb-2025/122), whose works evoke her enduring fascination with themes of harvest. In *Pimento Pickers* (estimate R4 000 000 – 6 000 000) she depicted field workers, highlighting the collective energy and shared purpose of their labour. [**Cecil Skotnes’s**](https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/lot/360-17-feb-2025/130) commanding abstract works illustrate his mastery of texture and form, evident in *Abstract Head*(estimate R150 000 – 200 000), [**Gerard Sekoto’s**](https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/lot/360-17-feb-2025/126)*Street Games, Soweto* (estimate R400 000 – 600 000) exemplifies his ability to document life with humility and humanity. Other incredible works include [**Vladimir Tretchikoff’s**](https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/lot/360-17-feb-2025/123)*Post Office Flower Seller* (est R1 200 000 – 1 600 000) showcasing the history of Cape Town’s flower trade through a powerful portrait and [**George Pemba’s**](https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/lot/360-17-feb-2025/124)*The Dice Players* (estimate R250 000 – 350 000) drawing inspiration from local scenes of daily life. From these historical foundations, the sale transitions to contemporary reflections by contemporary artists, often explored through themes of identity, belonging, urbanisation and reencounters with tradition. [**Turiya Magadlela**](https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/lot/360-17-feb-2025/161) (Mnandisa II, Mandisa for Kusama Series, estimate R70 000 – 90 000), [**Brett Charles Seiler**](https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/lot/360-17-feb-2025/170) (Timber, estimate R200 000 – 300 000) and [**William Kentridge**](https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/lot/360-17-feb-2025/175) (Dissolve, estimate R900 000 – 1 200 000) respond to a world shaped by innovation and interconnectedness, offering visions through works that challenge us to reconsider what it means to be rooted in place. Building on Strauss & Co’s commitment to building a strong local photography market, the sale includes an artist focus on the work of social documentarian [**Paul Alberts**](https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/lot/360-17-feb-2025/150), whose images captured poignant narratives of everyday life, particularly in Cape Town. These works sit alongside [**David Goldblatt**](https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/lot/360-17-feb-2025/146) (*Fifteen-year old Lawrence Matjee after his assault and detention by the Security Police, Khotso House, de Villiers Street, Joburg Series*, estimate R150 000 – 280 000) and [**Zanele Muholi**](https://www.straussart.co.za/auctions/lot/360-17-feb-2025/154)*(Musa Ngubane and Mabongi Ndlovu, Hillbrow, Johannesburg 2007, Being Series*est R300 000 – 500 000), whose visceral images explore themes of identity, social justice and the multifaceted realities of African life. **DM** **Auction Preview Viewing Times** **Weekdays** Monday to Friday from 9 am - 5 pm **Weekends** 8 & 9 February 2025; by appointment only. 15 & 16 February 2025 from 9 am – 4 pm 22 & 23 February 2025 by appointment only. **Upcoming Events** **14 February 2025 at 9:30 am** Galentine’s Breakfast: Celebrating Womxn artists With curator of the 2025 Stellenbosch Triennale Khanyisile Mbongwa, curator of 'We, The People: 30 Years of Democracy in South Africa' exhibition, Liese van der Watt and artists Bonolo Kavula, and Talia Ramkilawan. Strauss & Co, Cape Town **15 February 2025 at 10:30 am** Brunch, Walkabout & Panel Discussion Collaboration with [**Currency**](https://currencynews.co.za/) on ‘The Evolving Role of Collectors: Balancing Financial Investment with Cultural Responsibility in Supporting African Art.' Strauss & Co, Cape Town **16 February 2025 at 10:30 am** Brunch and Walkabout with Specialists Including a screening of the Botterblom Collection documentary Strauss & Co, Cape Town **17 February 2025** Pre-Auction Sundowners Perspectives on Africa: Modern and Contemporary Art Sundowners from 6 pm Auction at 7 pm Strauss & Co, Cape Town