An exhibition dedicated to the Mid-Century Modern style took place at the Strauss & Co gallery, where contemporary and modern art was presented alongside furniture, jewelry, silver, and ceramics. Curator LIM Mark-Anthony Hughson organized this exposition in September, showcasing a selection of items from the company's three Mid-Century Modern auctions.
Visitors noted that each area of the gallery possessed its own individuality, reflecting how people choose interior design pieces based on their tastes, memories, and personal characteristics. Walking through the gallery created a sense of time travel, reminiscent of the glamour of old Hollywood interiors, polished wood, and the era of Elvis Presley's luxurious salons.
Furniture pieces were one of the main highlights of the exhibition. Notable works included the high-backed Dixi chairs by Connection, the red-rimmed Bocca sofa by Studio 65 for Gufram, as well as mid-century design sculptures that lent the gallery a playful and theatrical energy. These items evoked a sense of nostalgia, recalling times when interiors had greater expressiveness through the use of color, patterns, and unusual shapes.
The exhibition featured works by South African artists, including Irma Stern, Maggie Laubser, and Adriana Boshoff, among the modern and contemporary art at Strauss & Co. This contrasted with the monochrome interiors that have become commonplace today. The jewelry, silver, and ceramics retained the uniqueness added by the modern artworks, opening a new dialogue between different periods, materials, and styles.
In addition to the exhibits themselves, visitors were interested in the descriptions next to the works, which were executed in various techniques—oil on cardboard, gouache on paper, charcoal on paper, acrylic on canvas, carved, incised, and painted wooden panel, chromogenic print on Dibond substrate. Attention to how material influences the perception of a work, such as the soft smoky traces of charcoal versus the depth of color and texture of oil, became an important aspect.
Particular attention was drawn to the photographic work of South African artist Musa N. Nksumalo, whose practice explores youth culture, self-expression, and identity through a combination of documentary and pictorial photography. One area of the exhibition demonstrated a mix of modern and contemporary art alongside mid-century furniture and decorative elements at Strauss & Co.
The author noted that the visual experience is paramount, whether it is a dish of food, a beautifully decorated room, or a work of art. However, the closer the gaze, the more understanding there was behind the first impression. Part of the discussion surrounding the exhibition concerned the life cycle of a piece after it leaves the artist's studio. Strauss & Co primarily operates in the secondary market, where previously acquired works by collectors can be resold.
Unlike the primary market, where buyers interact directly with artists or galleries, the secondary market provides another stage in the life of a piece. This market can also offer a clearer picture of an artist's activity through previous sales and auction records, helping to form a transparent view of demand. The value of a work is determined not only by appeal but also by its condition, history, provenance, the significance of the artist or designer, the rarity of the item, and the number of editions produced.
Works by South African artists and designers are displayed alongside international masters, reflecting the developing traditions of contemporary design and art within the country. These details contribute to increasing the work's value for the next collector. Nevertheless, the author was more concerned with the reasons for wanting to possess a piece than its potential monetary value. The stories of private collectors become particularly interesting here, as items in the secondary market carry the history of their owners, the homes they were in, and the reasons for their selection.
Strauss & Co collaborates with collectors both locally and internationally, with the South African market remaining an important part of this interaction. The program also pays close attention to female artists in South African modern and contemporary art, including the works of Maggie Laubser, Irma Stern, Penny Siopis, Kate Gottenes, Georgina Gratrix, Gladys Muglandlu, Esther Malangu, Cecily Sasha, and Maud Samner.
Elmarie van Straaten, Senior Art Specialist and Head of Art Department at Strauss & Co in Cape Town, stated: 'We have the honor of presenting the stunning works of Maggie Laubser and Irma Stern from the 1930s at the Evening Sale. It was a transformative period for both artists, when the shock and ridicule they faced in the 1920s gave way to widespread recognition and institutional support.'
This historical context prompted the author to look closely at the details again. A piece can reveal more through its nuances, material, origin, or associated story. A painting might attract with its color before its story is understood; a chair might evoke an image of the home it once occupied; a piece of jewelry might remind one of an era never experienced; and a ceramic or glass object might prompt reflection on the reason for its preservation.