Gcina Sam Maduna
South African 1956-
Portrait of Mmatote
2023
oil pastel on paper
96 by 67cm excluding frame; 116 by 86 by 4cm including frame

"Tired eyes stare into the distance of life's memories. Born in 1912, Mmatote was raised as a child farm labourer in the Free State. She moved in the forties to Johannesburg, in search of a better life. Abused and accosted by all the men she met, her determined resilience radiates, buoyed by her proudly self-knitted blue hat and tight set mouth. This portrait is a universal reminder of the persistent hardship that many impoverished women are forced to endure, during their lifetimes. Gcina Maduna is a self-taught artist specialising in pastel and, more recently, exploring the effects of mixed media. Maduna was selected as a top Sanlam Portrait 100 award finalist in 2023" - Barbara Lindop

In celebration of the Hermanus Fynarts Festival 2024, Strauss & Co is proud to feature a selection of works curated by Intethe Gallery, Hermanus. The gallery was established in 2015 by Barbara Lindop, a legendary figure who has devoted over 45 years to identifying the extraordinary talent of Southern African artists. Lindop is perhaps best known for the work on Gerard Sekoto, one of South Africa's most important modernist artists. Twenty-two artworks across the Day and Evening auctions are from Intethe Gallery's collective. Barbara Lindop notes, "These artists, united in their common purpose, create aesthetic and relevant artistic commentary on contemporary sociopolitical concerns. Their work is poetic, powerful, and thought-provoking."

The auction will feature pieces addressing global warming, cultural practices, the beauty and spirituality of the natural world, political commentary, and the celebration of humanity. These themes are conveyed through various mediums including texture, line, colour planes, sculptural and ceramic forms. Lindop emphasises, "It is the privilege of the Gallery to assist in promoting these artists."