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BUSINESS NEWS - Aspire Art is pleased to present an early masterpiece, Street Corner by Gerard Sekoto, as the featured artwork in their upcoming live auction scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, in Cape Town.
Gerard Sekoto relocated to District Six in Cape Town in 1942, and this depiction of the area represents one of his earliest urban subjects. Between 1938 and 1942, Gerard Sekoto resided in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, where he made significant advancements in his technique.
Gerard Sekoto, Street Corner, oil on board, 49 x 39 cm
Upon his move to District Six, Sekoto exhibited a remarkable growth in confidence. His mastery of light and colour had evolved, as evidenced in the rich array of blues and gentle ochres in Street Corner. The composition of this artwork demonstrates carefully crafted repetitions, establishing a sense of balance and rhythm—a technique also evident in other works from this period, such as Basking (c.1942) housed in the Iziko South African National Gallery collection, Street Bonhomie, District Six (c. 1944) part of the Johannesburg Art Gallery collection, and Yellow Houses, District Six (1942), which achieved a sale price of GBP 602,400 at Bonhams in London in 2011.
LEFT | Basking, c.1942. Iziko South African National Gallery
CENTRE | Street Bonhomie, District Six, c. 1944. Johannesburg Art Gallery collection
RIGHT | Yellow Houses, District Six, Sold for GBP 602 400 at Bonhams, London, in 2011
Sekoto's departure from District Six in 1945 marked a significant turning point as he settled in Eastwood, Pretoria. By 1947, he embarked on a transformative journey to Paris, a move that would define his career trajectory. South Africa never witnessed his return, and artworks from this formative period are a rare find, especially those with the exceptional provenance that Street Corner proudly boasts. Acquired from Max Wolpe Senior's framing company, the father of the esteemed art connoisseur and beloved art dealer, Joe Wolpe, Street Corner has remained in a private family collection ever since.
With an estimated art value ranging from R800,000 to R1,200,000, Street Corner captures a clandestine meeting under the veil of night on a street corner, possibly portraying the gathering of friends or comrades. The 1940s bore witness to pivotal changes that deeply influenced South Africa's political landscape, with District Six emerging as a pivotal area of political upheaval. Cissie Gool, a local resident and a prominent anti-apartheid political and civil rights leader, assumed the presidency of the Non-European United Front (NEUF) in 1940. One can fathom the profound influence of such political activism on the young Sekoto and how he may have been inspired to capture politically charged moments in his painting. Incredible how art can be captured with emotion and colour.
It is also conceivable that the artist was drawn to the sheer intimacy of adults congregating while a mother tenderly lulls her child to sleep. Sekoto's innate understanding of human connections and profound empathy for his fellow beings enabled him to delve into the essence of this scene. Whether it served as a platform for discussing the day’s pressing issues or simply as a moment of collective solace, this gathering embodies profound humanity—an aspect for which Sekoto rightfully earns admiration.
20th Century & Contemporary Art
Auction: September 13 at 6 pm
Auction Viewing: September 6 to September 13, 2023
Monday to Friday: 8:30 – 16:30
Saturday 10:00 – 14:00
Location: 37A Somerset Road, De Waterkant, Cape Town.
Browse and download the catalogue
Aspire Art welcomes all art enthusiasts in South Africa to view this remarkable painting from September 6 to September 13 at their Cape Town showroom before it goes under the hammer. For additional information regarding this work, kindly contact Senior Art Specialist Sarah Sinisi at sarah@aspireart.net.
