What’s selling At 3 Of The Top Auction Houses In Africa
African contemporary art is hot right now.
If you’re thinking of investing, there are several undervalued artists in that category, according to Anton Welz, director of Stephan Welz & Co. auction house in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
How hot is contemporary African art?
So hot that London-based Bonhams — one of the world’s oldest, largest and best-known auctioneers of fine art and antiques — has introduced a new contemporary African art auction. The auction will complement the one Bonhams does for African artists from earlier generations, according to Bonhams CEO Matthew Girling.
The following three African auction houses are listed among the world’s 250 best auction houses in a special issue of Art+Auction.
We’ve listed them here, along with some of their most notable sales. There’s also a Q & A with insider insight from Anton Welz, director of Stephan Welz & Co. Check it out.
Lagos, Nigeria
Arthouse Contemporary Limited
CEO: Kavita Chellaram
ESTABLISHED: 2007
SPECIALTIES: Traditional, modern, and contemporary African art
NOTABLE LOTS: Zata, 2015, by El Anatsui, $77,000 (estimated $75,000–90,000), and Truly Hijab, 2011–2012, by Yusuf Cameron Grillo, $55,000 (estimated $50,000–60,000), from the Modern and Contemporary Art sale, May 11, 2015. Stilt Dancers, 1981, by Kolade Oshinowo, $43,000 (estimated $19,000–$22,000), from the Modern and Contemporary Art sale, November 3, 2014.
CONTACT: arthouse-ng.com, lagos@arthouse-ng.com
Source: BlouinArt
Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa
Strauss & Co.
MANAGING DIRECTOR: Stephan Welz
ESTABLISHED: 2009
SPECIALTIES: Fine art
NOTABLE LOTS: The Mozambiquerskop, 1924, by Jan Ernst Abraham Volschenk, $7,500 (estimated $3,300–$4,900), from the Important South African & International Art sale, June 1, 2015. A South Indian 22-carat gold repoussé “makara” bangle, 19th century, $2,460 (estimated $1,600–$2,000), from the Important South African & International Art, Decorative Arts & Jewelry sale, March 16, 2015.
CONTACT: www.straussart.co.za, jhb@straussart.co.za
Source: BlouinArt
Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa
Stephan Welz & Co.
DIRECTOR: Anton Welz
ESTABLISHED: 1968
SPECIALTIES: South African masters and contemporary art
CONTACT: stephanwelzandco.co.za, jhb@stephanwelzandco.co.za, +27 11 880 3125
Q & A with Anton Welz
What was your most successful auction in the past year?
Anton Welz: Probably the sale of the Pitzer Paul collection of Cape furniture and Africana, which we sold in Cape Town— 98 percent of the collection sold, and the collection fetched more than double the low estimate.
Which lot was the most exciting or surprising?
Anton Welz: A Cape table that was estimated at $900–$1,300, which sold for $8,600 including buyer’s premium.
Is there an artist, market, or medium you think is overlooked right now? Something you’d invest in?
Anton Welz: Certainly contemporary African art. There are a good few undervalued artists in that category.
How have online auctions changed the way you do business?
Anton Welz: We are seeing an increase in the number of bidders and buyers online during live auctions, and we have a small online presence.
What other trends do you see influencing the market?
Contemporary 20th-century design, photography, and vintage clothing. All three categories have yet to really develop in the South African market.
What part of your business saw the most growth in 2014?
Anton Welz: Contemporary art.
Where would you like to take the company in the next several years?
Anton Welz: A greater presence in the online arena and an increase in our market share.
What one thing do you wish more collectors knew?
Anton Welz: Buy quality and take advice from professionals in the industry.
Do you have a collecting obsession? If so, what purchase are you most proud of?
Anton Welz: Not really, but I do like my Jürgen Schadeberg image of Nelson Mandela during the treason trial, taken in 1958.
Source: BlouinArt