18th Jun, 2026 19:00
Modern & Contemporary Art - Evening Sale
4
Mmakgabo Mmapula Mmangankato Helen Sebidi (South Africa 1943-)
The Bone Throuwer. Naar Newcastle Natal SA (sic)
oil on board
Artwork date: 1984
Signature details: signed bottom left; signed, dated 4/8/1984, inscribed with the title and 'Tribe Zulu' on the reverse
Exchange Rates*: USD 3 600 – 5 399
GBP 2 698 – 4 047
EURO 3 100 – 4 650
R60,000 - R90,000
Buyers Premium
oil on board
Artwork date: 1984
Signature details: signed bottom left; signed, dated 4/8/1984, inscribed with the title and 'Tribe Zulu' on the reverse
Exchange Rates*: USD 3 600 – 5 399
GBP 2 698 – 4 047
EURO 3 100 – 4 650
(1)
23 x 30.5 cm; framed size: 25.5 x 33 x 3 cm
Provenance:
Private collection, Johannesburg.
Acquired directly from the artist.
COLLECTOR'S NOTE
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Helen Sebidi was selected to feature in In Minor Keys, curated by the late Koyo Kouoh, at the 2026 Venice Biennale.
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In 2024, Sebidi presented a solo exhibition, Ntlo E Etsamayang (The Walking House), at the University of Johannesburg Art Gallery from 6 April to 17 May and at the Everard Read gallery in Cape Town from 13 to 31 July. The exhibition included works that were presumed stolen for over 3 decades. In 1991, Sebidi travelled to Sweden’s Nyköping Folk High School for a residency, bringing her most significant works, which she entrusted to the school after a planned exhibition was postponed. Unfortunately, the artworks were thought stolen until they were unexpectedly discovered, still in their original packaging, in a concealed cupboard at the school in May 2023.
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Sebidi was recognised with a solo exhibition titled Batlhaping Ba Re! at the Norval Foundation in Cape Town in 2019.
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The artist has featured in international fairs and biennales, including the Biennial of Sāo Paolo, Brazil in 2019 and 2013; the Venice Biennale, Italy in 2001 and 2026; and the 4th Havana Biennial, Cuba in 1991.
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The artist was the first Black woman to win the Standard Bank Young Artist Award in 1989.
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Sebidi has been recognised with multiple awards, including the National Arts and Culture Life Time Achievement Award, South Africa (2025 and 2011); Order of Ikhamanga Silver Award given by the Presidency, South Africa (2004); and the Mbokodo Award, South Africa (2015).
COLLECTIONS:
The artist is represented in numerous local and international collections, notably, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington D.C.; Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, New York, World Bank, Johannesburg Art Gallery; Javett Art Centre, Pretoria; Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town; University of Cape Town; University of South Africa, Pretoria and the University of the Witwatersrand.
The overall condition is good.
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.
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Auction: Modern & Contemporary Art - Evening Sale, 18th Jun, 2026
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