JOHANNESBURG - The 2010 Legacy Fine Art auction that began Johannesburg last week is expected to run until the end of the month, an almost three-week extension organizers attributed to public interest.
The sale of World Cup-related works of art by African artists including from Zimbabwe began on July 4 at the Artnet Gallery in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg, and was initially scheduled to end today but will close on July 29.
It was initially scheduled to end on Sunday (this) afternoon but we have extended to the 29th of July because of the publics interest on the event, Bianca Brimiah, spokeswoman for the organisers told The Zimbabwean on Sunday.
On show are various pieces of art including the Thora Bhora, a painting by Zimbabwean Lovemore Kambudzi, which as a price tag of R40 000 or nearly US$4 000.
The oil-on-canvas painting which measures 4,2 square metres is one of more than 400 soccer-themed artworks on display. The artworks are divided into various theme categories with, for example, Africa Salutes You category comprising a collection of 32 works representing the flags of the countries that took part in the 2010 FIFA World Cu in South Africa. All the pieces in this category are endorsed and signed by former South African President and anti-apartheid struggle icon, Nelson Mandela.
The Art of Pele category is a collection of works done by the legendary Brazilian footballer and South African artist Athol Moult.
This is the first time an art auction of this nature has ever happened here in South Africa . Just as in 2006, Germany lit a flame as the first host nation to use sport and culture close together, that torch has now been passed to Africa, said Graham Britz, the appointed auctioneer and Director of Graham Fine Art Auctioneers.
Those first few flames have fanned into a blaze of fine art this year 2010. The 2010 Legacy Fine Art auction will, and without doubt, be South Africa s most important 2010 fine art event, he added. The Thora Bhora, among the most eye catching pieces on sale, is a painting of a boy standing on a chair and reaching for a ball that is at the top of a cupboard.
Its creator, Kambudzi ,was born in 1978 in Seke near Harare. He went through a three-year art training at the Visual Arts studios of the National Gallery in Mbare, where he has received training and exhibition space.
Some of Kambudzis works have been exhibited in Germany, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
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