A significant corporate art collection, unseen by the public for over 40 years, is set to go under the hammer in a live virtual auction hosted by Strauss & Co on 24 June. The Engen Collection, originally assembled as the Mobil Collection in the early 1980s, offers a compelling snapshot of South African abstract art during a period of profound cultural and political change.
The sale features a curated selection from an archive of over 200 works, including paintings, tapestries, photographs, and works on paper. It highlights the creative networks and experimental pedagogies that shaped South African art in the 1980s, showcasing artists who sought to transcend artistic and cultural boundaries. Among the prominent names are Bill Ainslie, Simon Stone, Gabriel Tsolo, Judith Mason, Andrew Verster, Pippa Skotnes, and Gail Altschuler.
Notable highlights include Andrew Verster’s Tapestry of Landscape with Trees and Bushes (est. R300 000 – R500 000), a hand-woven mohair piece accompanied by its preparatory study. Verster, a multidisciplinary artist known for his vivid use of colour, worked across textiles, glass, and literature. Also featured is Kevin Atkinson’s Abstract Sunset (est. R100 000 – R150 000), a large-scale diptych reflecting his avant-garde approach blending conceptual art, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism.
The collection also spotlights Nel Erasmus, whose fascination with movement and abstraction is evident in works such as Aquatic Action (est. R10 000 – R15 000). A former director of the Johannesburg Art Gallery and a member of the influential Wits Group, Erasmus drew inspiration from Edgar Degas, transitioning from depictions of light to dynamic equestrian scenes.
Many of the artists were linked to the Johannesburg Art Foundation (JAF), an unconventional institution founded in 1982 by Bill Ainslie. Rejecting formal curricula, the JAF championed experimental, inclusive practices that fostered abstract expressionism as a means of artistic and political expression. Works such as Ainslie’s Abstract Composition in Blue and Green (est. R80 000 – R120 000) and Jenny Stadler’s Drunk in Autumn Woods (est. R40 000 – R60 000) exemplify this ethos. The JAF’s legacy extended to initiatives like the Thupelo Workshops and FUBA (Federated Union of Black Artists), which remain influential in contemporary South African art.
George Roberts, CEO of Engen, remarked: “This collection has been a cherished part of our company’s heritage. By bringing these works to auction, we hope they will find new audiences and continue to celebrate South Africa’s creative spirit.”
For collectors and historians, the sale presents a rare opportunity to acquire works that have remained hidden for decades, offering fresh insights into a transformative era in South African art.
Auction details:
Date: 24 June
Time: 14:00 (SAST)
Format: Live Virtual Auction
Viewing: Online catalogue available at Strauss & Co
