Fine art and fine dining were on the menu at the Johan Carinus Art School's annual art auction on Saturday 17 March.
Fine art and fine dining were on the menu at the Johan Carinus Art School's annual art auction on Saturday 17 March.
Carinus teacher Madelize van der Merwe says the auction – the eighth of its kind – was a great success, raking in twice as much money for the school as last year. "A lot of people attended who were very willing to support us," she said.
Paintings, sketches and sculptures were auctioned in three sessions while a 'silent' auction with secret bids on student artworks went on upstairs.
The Greek theme – What the doric? – was carried over on groaning tables full of delectable finger foods and classical Greek busts for decoration.
In the main auction, bidders vied for artworks by the likes of nationally renowned artists such as Nigel Mullins, Obie Oberholzer and Diane Victor, as well as local talents Louise Boy, Graeme Germond and Tori Stowe.
Victor's etching entitled 'Circe' was donated to the school for the auction, and was one of the most talked-about pieces at the exhibition. It was won for a steal at only R4 500.
Professional auctioneer Clint Moss was appointed for the evening.
"He knew how to get people excited and push up the prices in the main auction," said Van der Merwe.
While the action heated up downstairs, breaks in the main auction allowed visitors to browse the student art on display upstairs and place their anonymous bids into a box. The highest bidders were then notified of their successful bids after the auction.
"The silent auction did very well," said Van der Merwe. "People were willing to pay up for student works due to their high quality, and because their bids were secret."
