A charity art auction raised more than R270 000 for the Denis Goldberg Legacy Foundation last week.
Presented by former Formula 1 supremo Eddie Jordan and his wife, Marie, and hosted by the S ART Gallery in Victoria Avenue, Hout Bay, the auction saw bids made on works by some of Africa’s finest artists.
The Jordans, who now own a home in Cape Town, are regular visitors to the gallery, curated by Olaf Bessenbacher.
In November last year, Mr Bessenbacher read an article in the Sentinel about Hout Bay resident and struggle icon Denis Goldberg’s legacy project to secure the future of impoverished youth in Hout Bay.
The House of Hope seeks to safeguard these futures through music lessons, performing arts and computer, life and language skills.
Mr Goldberg has been diagnosed with lung cancer, and through the Denis Goldberg Legacy Foundation, he hopes to raise R6 million to buy and develop the Cape Dutch home in which the Kronendal Music Academy is housed (“Goldberg secures the future,” Sentinel, November 24 2017).
Mr Bessenbacher spoke to the Jordans about the project, and they started planning the charity auction.
Mr Goldberg was the guest of honour at the gallery on Wednesday February 21, as serious and casual collectors bid on works donated by Adolf Tega, Adriaan Diedericks, Bob-Nosa Uwagboe, Beezy Bailey, A’Shua Imran,
Sandy Curry, Mr Bessenbacher, Blessing Mbongeni, John Michael Metelerkamp, Dario Manjate, Janko de Beer, Jeffrey Appollis, Ledelle Moe, Robert Slingsby, Roger Ballen, Tendai Mupita, Thornton Kabeya and Vincent Osemwegie.
Ms Jordan herself donated several of her photographic studies of Namibia.
Also on the guest list was the German ambassador to South Africa, Martin Schafer.
Well-known Cape Town auctioneer Ian Banner oversaw the bids, as guests enjoyed music by the KMA jazz band, along with wine and finger foods.
Mr Jordan said it was an “easy decision” to get involved with the project.
“Throughout my career, I’ve met some good people, some bad people and people who captivate you. Denis surpasses all of that,” he told guests.
“He spent 22 years in jail, and he did it like Nelson Mandela did; everything he did, he did for his country. You’ve been an amazing guide, Denis, and you are the reason we are here tonight.”
Mr Goldberg thanked the artists, the Jordans and Mr Bessenbacher for all they had done to make the evening possible.
“With the work I do with KMA, I see how music is able to bind people together, and if you look at all the art around us, don’t you agree that life is wonderful?
Art is the universal language that brings people together,” he
said.
Twenty-seven pieces of art were auctioned, some during the “live” auction and others in a secret bid. This included a portrait of Mr Goldberg, A Hopeful Mind – A Portrait of Denis Goldberg, by Zambian-born Restone Maambo.
Mr Bessenbacher said with some works not being sold at the auction, he had decided to host a small matinee event this Sunday, March 4, where art lovers could view the pieces. It will take place from 11am to 2pm, and guests will be treated to some jazz while they browse the art.
For more information you can email Mr Bessenbacher at olafbessenbacher@gmail.com
