oil on board
Artwork date: 1991
Signature details: signed and dated bottom right; inscribed with the artist's name, date, the title, dimensions and medium on an Everard Read gallery label on the reverse
Exhibited: Strauss & Co., Johannesburg, Social Stances: George Pemba and Robert Hodgins, 1 to 30 July 2021, illustrated in the catalogue on pp.8-9.
Sold for R432,440
Estimated at R350,000 - R500,000
Condition Report
The overall condition is very good. The paint is vibrant and stable with lustre, protected behind a glass frame.
The frame is in very good condition.
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 board
Artwork date: 1991
Signature details: signed and dated bottom right; inscribed with the artist's name, date, the title, dimensions and medium on an Everard Read gallery label on the reverse
Exhibited: Strauss & Co., Johannesburg, Social Stances: George Pemba and Robert Hodgins, 1 to 30 July 2021, illustrated in the catalogue on pp.8-9.
(1)
50 x 70 cm; framed size: 76.5 x 96.5 x 3 cm
Provenance:
Everard Read, Johannesburg.
Notes:
A pioneer of Black Modernism in South African art, George Pemba is regarded for his enduring compassion in depicting the lived realities of his people. Proud of his Xhosa heritage and culture, Pemba, like his ‘thirties generation’ compatriots Gerard Sekoto, John Koenakeefe Mohl and Gerard Bengu, challenged the colonial gaze by offering a unique social realism of a people and their individual and collective joys and struggles during the most turbulent times in South African history.
A highlight of the Nwabisa Xayiya collection is 9 remarkable paintings by Pemba from the 1960s to the early 1990s. Spanning over 4 decades, this group of paintings represents a core part of Pemba’s themes and artistic production. Collectively the group stands as a valuable visual recording of a history and socio-political life in the rural areas and townships (mainly of the Eastern Cape) throughout a specific time period. Included are scenes of daily existence and social interactions like in The Agitator (1960) (lot 54), Township Games (1973) (lot 4), The dice players (1975) (lot 80), The Preacher in the Church (1990) (lot 3), In the Train (1991) (lot 2) and The Waiting Room (1992) (lot 55). Ordinary people gathered in domestic settings and public places including churches, funerals, hospitals, trains and taxis, streets, fields and private homes, engaging in acts of community, faith and solidarity was an important source of inspiration. A figurative painter by definition, Pemba attentively recorded these events and people – of an almost bygone era – in rich and vibrant colours which give the paintings a timeless vitality.
Pemba himself was not a political activist and his work did not serve any political interests or ideology. He was however an empathetic observer, and loathed apartheid rule which caused much suffering to many people as depicted in Unemployed (1986) (lot 56), for example. In some instances, his paintings do reflect a personal viewpoint and particular events, especially during the state of emergency years of the 1980s, including police raids, marches and riots made an emotional impression on him, as seen in his portrayal of Comrades (1988) (lot 53).
This unique group of paintings exemplifies that Pemba’s work is not only celebrated for its honesty and integrity by offering a sincere insider perspective, it is also an everlasting legacy of an artist who kept on painting against all personal and political odds.
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Auction: Art, Life and Love: The Collection of Nwabisa Xayiya (Live Auction), 31st Oct, 2021
This October, 2021, we are honoured to present Art, Life and Love: The Collection of Nwabisa Xayiya, a single owner auction showcasing the cultivated taste and style of Nwabisa Xayiya.
The auction offers examples by great modernists as well as exciting contemporary pieces. Notable is a selection of work by George Pemba. There is also a set of impressive urban scenes and portraits by Gerard Sekoto, a rarely seen Alexis Preller, a glorious Robert Hodgins, and varied examples of Dumile Feni’s work. Within the contemporary offering, there are outstanding works by Blessing Ngobeni, Sam Nhlengethwa, William Kentridge, Teresa Firmino, Athi-Patra Ruga, Kudzanai Chiurai, Nelson Makamo, Owusu-Ankomah and Nicholas Hlobo.
Viewing
Lots will be on view at the Xayiya residence: 63 4th Street, Houghton, Johannesburg
Saturday 23 October to Saturday 30 October from 10 am to 6 pm
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.
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.
International Collectors Shipping Package
For collectors based outside South Africa who purchase regularly from Aspire Art’s auctions in South Africa, it does not make sense to ship artworks individually or per auction and pay shipping every time you buy another work. Consequently, we have developed a special collectors’ shipping package to assist in reducing shipping costs and the constant demands of logistics arrangements.
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
Aspire Art charges a 15% Handling Fee on all Logistics, Framing, Restoration and Conservation arranged by Aspire.