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Celebrating Women Shaping South African Art in a Showstopping August Auction

This Women’s Day, bid on August Art, an auction spotlighting women shaping South African Art across time

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By House & Garden South Africa | August 9, 2024 | Art

Through August Art Strauss & Co highlights significant works by women across various artistic traditions. Their diverse work celebrates influences and styles over time, creating a meaningful dialogue between past and present.

Valley Giant's Castle, Leonora Everard-Haden. Image courtesy of Straus & Co.

As innovators in artistic expression, each artist contributes to a collective narrative —from Esther Mahlangu’s bold geometric patterns rooted in her cultural heritage, Maggie Laubser’s vivid expressionist depictions of landscapes, Noria Mabasa’s compelling blend of dreamworlds and waking worlds through sculpture-making, Penny Siopis and Diane Victor’s courageous renderings of history and Nesta Nala’s storied vessels that carry a rich tradition of Zulu ceramic making, these artists are foundational in defining our understanding of contemporary art today.

Dandelion, Anna Alcock. Image courtesy of Straus & Co.

With a focus on art from KwaZulu-Natal, August Art particularly highlights women artists with connections to the region— from Heather Gourlay-Conyngham who lives and works in the midlands of Natal, Sue Martin whose work reflects her upbringing in rural Natal and Elizabeth Mbatha who practiced traditional coil pottery and weaving at Rorke’s Drift Centre alongside other prominent South African artists.

Waiting/Girl at a Window, Bronwen (Jinny) Heath. Image courtesy of Straus & Co.

August ART, timed-online auction is open for bidding and will close at 1 minute intervals from 2pm on Monday 12 August 2024.

‘Siestog’,Penny Siopis. Image courtesy of Straus & Co.