When Southern Guild represented South Africa as the featured country in the annual design auction at Christie’s, Piccadilly 18 months ago, record prices were achieved for 11 of the 14 works sold, with Porky Hefer’s Appropriated Objects – Chair and Stool selling for close to four times the estimate price. This April, 2017, Christie’s and Southern Guild collaborate again at the auction house’s South Kensington site, and the collectible design gallery will present double the number of works, with new names added to the curated group representing the country’s top designers.
Southern Guild’s 25 lots for the First Open, South Kensington, Post-War and Contemporary Art auction include pieces by 18 of the most important design voices in South Africa, including Porky Hefer, David Krynauw and Dokter and Misses – all recognised for creating a new vernacular within the global collectible design landscape.
The exhibition preceding the auction at Christie’s, Contemporary Living: Art, Craft & Design, will present works of art by contemporary artists, together with pieces from British gallery The New Craftsmen, recognised for its contemporary objects rooted in artistry and narrative, showcased alongside the Southern Guild offering.
Zoe Klemme, Christie’s Head of First Open in London, and Christie’s Design Specialist Raffaella Goffredi, comment: “Southern Guild, the pre-eminent design gallery in Africa, represents a growing stable of designers whose work is fresh and bold, with global appeal. The Contemporary Living exhibition explores the dialogue between contemporary art, design and crafts, and is a new platform for promoting emerging talent; it offers an exciting new opportunity to our clients and we hope it will inspire new ways of displaying art in the home.”
Intriguing narratives and a strong ethos linked to hand production
“Southern Guild pieces have a special appeal for young collectors,” explains Southern Guild co-founder Trevyn McGowan. “They are imbued with intriguing narratives and a strong ethos linked to hand production that draws people in.’ She talks of how many of the designers are also the makers, allowing the work to be entrenched with their personas. ‘This aligns well with The New Craftsmen’s approach to refining the value of craft and placing a strong focus on skills, methods and materials.”
The exhibition design will change across four days through a series on interventions, generating new visual vignettes and creating an experience that encourages the audience to make connections and discover each object anew.
“Southern Guild’s furniture, lighting and objects offer the opportunity for an intrinsic connection with Africa, and shape a rich experience for a home environment,” adds Trevyn.
Iconic pieces that will go on auction include Charles Haupt’s Num Num Tables, Conrad Hicks’ Copper Chaise, David Krynauw’s Haywire Chandelier, Dokter and Misses’ Kassena Isibheqe, John Murray and Paco Pakdoust’s rug collaboration titled Oust, Meyer von Wielligh’s Leaf Sideboard, the Southern Guild Chair by Anatomy Design in collaboration with Nicky Levenberg, Xandre Kriel’s Vos Altar and Porky Hefer’s fantastical Fallen Bird’s Nests.
Contemporary Living: Art, Craft & Design includes additional pieces by Adam Birch, Chuma Maweni and Madoda Fani, Heino Schmitt Design, Jesse Ede, Mock Mock, OKHA and Stanislaw Trzebinski.
Contemporary Living: Art, Craft & Design can be previewed at Christie’s, South Kensington 1 – 4 April, 2017, with the auction on 5 April.
McGowan will participate in a panel discussion on 3 April at Christie’s and Trzebinski will give an insight to his working processes on 4 April at Christie’s Lates.
What: Southern Guild at Christies
Auction: 5 April, 2017
Web: www.christies.com, www.christies.com/lates, www.southernguild.co.za
Southern Guild: Cape Town: +27 21 461 2856, Johannesburg: +27 10 594 5062
www.theguildgroup.co.za
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