The take-over was mostly of the gallery's valuable old South African masters paintings. It included a Maggie Laubser valued at R475 000, Hugo Naude, a Gregoire Boonzaier at R450 000 and many well-known masters and contemporary artists.
Stephan Welz's MD, Dr Fred Scott, who presided at Tuesday's summer exhibition opening, said it is likely to be the last to be held in its current form as the gallery will be closing its doors at the end of January. Scott said this week that his company had no doubt rescued Strydom Gallery from disappearing completely. But it would only determined at a later stage if Strydom would reopen in Johannesburg or elsewhere.
There definitely is a plan to hold an annual exhibition in the Southern Cape. Showcasing local artists work might be considered.
The news was greeted with shock by the artist community who always relished the annual winter exhibition as it showcased the works of up and coming artists. The current summer exhibition does include local artists like Ian Tainton, Guy Thesen, Fiona Ewan Rowett and Lisl Barry, Beatrix Bosch and exquisite wood items, ceramics and pottery.
Manager, Anriët van Deventer, said in a statement released this week "After 45 years of activity in the field of fine art, and with plans to continue in the future, the Strydom Gallery will be entering a new phase. The ongoing professional relationship with Stephan Welz and Co is now being extended to working closely together to continue with arranging exhibitions.
The proposed changes necessitate that the gallery will be closing its doors temporarily during the first quarter of 2014. All our clients and artists will be notified of developments relating to the gallery's relocation and re-opening. Even though it will no longer have its base in George, we still plan to hold the annual summer exhibition in December of each year in George. The appointed venue will be announced every year."
Former owner Leon Strydom said he was very surprised and saddened but hoped that there would be an ongoing platform in the Southern Cape for good art.
Stephan Welz and Co MD, Dr Fred Scott (right), announced the take-over of Strydom Gallery in George. With him are the gallery's manager, Anriët van Deventer and Lenor van den Berg. Photo: Pauline Lourens
ARTICLE: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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