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African Artist Sekoto Shatters Expectations at Auction, Selling for Over Half a Million USD—Four Times the Estimate
BY ALBERT CHEN
The late South African artist Gerard Sekoto has once again proven his lasting impact on the art world, with his masterpiece The Artist’s Brother selling for an astonishing £406,000 ($528,000) at Bonhams’ Modern & Contemporary African Art sale—more than four times its original estimate of £100,000-150,000 ($130,000-195,000).
This landmark sale underscores the growing demand for Sekoto’s work and the increasing recognition of Modern African art on the global stage. The auction, which totaled £1.6 million ($2.08 million), saw Sekoto’s piece emerge as the top-selling lot, captivating collectors with its historical significance and artistic brilliance.
A Pivotal Work That Launched an International Career
Painted between 1945 and 1947, The Artist’s Brother is a deeply personal work that marked a crucial turning point in Sekoto’s life. Created while he lived in Eastwood, a Black dormitory suburb of Pretoria, the painting reflects his exploration of urban African life and the tensions between tradition and modernity. Sekoto’s brother, Bernard, is depicted in a contemplative pose, surrounded by elements that symbolize both his roots and his aspirations—an African grass mat juxtaposed against suburban furniture.
The painting’s significance extends beyond its artistic value—it played a direct role in funding Sekoto’s self-imposed exile to Paris. In 1947, amid the increasing racial segregation of South Africa, Sekoto sold The Artist’s Brother at an exhibition in Pretoria, using the proceeds to relocate to Europe. He would never return to his homeland, but his career flourished internationally, cementing his legacy as a pioneer of Modern African art.
Sekoto’s Legacy Continues to Soar
Helene Love-Allotey, Head of Bonhams’ Modern & Contemporary African Art Department, highlighted the exceptional nature of this sale: “Gerard Sekoto’s The Artist’s Brother is a particularly special work, and a highly sought-after moment in his oeuvre before his voluntary exile from South Africa. It is unsurprising that this rare work sparked such excitement amongst collectors, and we are delighted that the results of the sale reflect the exceptional quality of the works offered.”
The staggering price achieved for The Artist’s Brother reinforces Sekoto’s enduring influence and the increasing prominence of Modern African artists in the international market. As collectors continue to seek out his work, Sekoto’s legacy as a groundbreaking artist remains stronger than ever.
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