The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has been acquiring artworks informally for more than half a century. Following the restructuring of the corporation in 1994, the art collection was formalised under a curator.
Funds were allocated for the acquisition of works representative of South Africa’s new democracy, showcasing the soul of the country’s people in all their diversity.
The pieces include the great Irma Stern’s Native Girl – oil on canvas painting, Bongi Dlomo’s work from the series Songs and Monuments and the prolific William Kentridge’s Zeno Writing V11.
Research indicates that between 2000 and 2011, the record price for a painting by Stern jumped from R1.7 million to about R34 million.
The SABC also has more than four works by Kentridge. The median price for the artist’s work these days is said to be around R5 million.
These public treasures are available for viewing at the SABC’s premises in Auckland Park, Johannesburg.
Recently, the public broadcaster told Parliament that the collection is worth approximately R400 million.
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