Author Archives: hans

27 juni 2018: Futur antérieur : la Collection d’Art africain de Liliane et Michel Durand-Dessert. Christie’s Parijs

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Artikel van Bruno Claessens:
After the successful sale of the Vérité collection last year, I’m very proud to present another collection sale at Christie’s Paris. On 27 June, we’ll be offering the famous African art collection of Liliane and Michel Durand-Dessert. You can browse the catalogue HERE.

The 105 treasures (with a combined estimate of € 7-10 million) are a testament of the avant-garde taste of the Durand-Dessert couple, pioneer gallerists of contemporary art, who have taken an innovative look at African arts, to form a collection which they have brought together with love and rigour for more than thirty years.

The dispersion of this important ensemble constitutes a major event for the African art market, not only because of the intrinsic quality of the objects that are part of it, but because of the uncommon personalities of the couple that put it together with an unrelentingly critical, analytical and original approach, in which their high standards are clearly discernible. Open without exception to all areas of African art, this group was meticulously build up by the couple as a couple. Both are brilliant literary and scientifc academics, and audacious cutting-edge gallery owners who have been pioneers in their field, having shown the most radical 20th century avant-garde art. Also the choices they made in their collecting were well ahead of the pack – the arts of Nigeria indeed form a crucial segment of this unique collection.

In 2008, an important selection of it was presented at the Monnaie de Paris during Parcours des Mondes. This highly acclaimed exhibition, Fragments du Vivant (‘Fragments of the Living’), put their collection on the map and was accompanied by an excellent catalogue published under the supervision of Jean-Louis Paudrat and with beautiful photographs by Hughes Dubois. As you’ll note, many excerpts from the introductory interview published in this book enrich our catalogue notes, inasmuch as the eyes and appreciation that these collectors have had for their objects have contributed so much to making them the marvels that they are.

The African art collection Liliane and Michel Durand-Dessert was born from the same implacable passion that animated their visionary choices for their gallery. A short history of the collection and its makers in English can be found at the back of the catalogue. It is a great honor for us to bring this unique ensemble to the market. The auction will take place in Paris on Wednesday 27 June at 4PM; below the preview dates.

Friday 22 June 2 PM-6PM
Saturday 23 June 10AM-6PM
Sunday 24 June 2PM-6PM
Monday 25 June 10AM-6PM
Tuesday 26 June 10AM-6PM
Wednesday 27 June 10AM-12AM

Don’t hesitate to get in touch if I can be of any service or if you want more information or images on a certain object. I hope to see you in Paris for this not-to-be-missed event!

Tot 31 december 2023: Things that matter. Tropenmuseum, Amsterdam.

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De objecten in Things That Matter komen van over de hele wereld en dragen verhalen met zich mee die net zo goed in Nederland van betekenis zijn. Een voorbeeld is een gevlochten mandje, afkomstig van de Marshall Islands. In de bijbehorende video vertelt Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner in dichtvorm waarom dit voorwerp zo belangrijk is voor haar cultuur en hoe deze op het punt staat te verdwijnen: de stijgende zeespiegel zal haar eiland als eerste in de Grote Oceaan doen zinken. Het mandje in de tentoonstelling is dan het laatste tastbare overblijfsel van haar cultuur. Het zet bezoekers aan het denken over klimaatverandering, duurzaamheid en cultureel erfgoed.

De tentoonstelling Things That Matter is naar verwachting 5 tot 7 jaar te zien en komt tot stand met steun van de BankGiro Loterij en in samenwerking met Museum Catharijneconvent. Campagnebeeld: David Vroom.

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Jo de Buck, nieuw boek juni 2018: Hendrik Elias’ legacy

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I’m proud to present my new book

Hendrik Elias was one of the first individuals to have earned a master’s degree in African art history at Ghent University.
His thesis on the art of the Songye was overseen by Frans Olbrechts.
Soon after he contributed a number of important pieces to the collection of the Musée Royal de l’Afrique Centrale in Tervuren.
A dealer in top-quality African art, for many he was also an ongoing source of information on the subject .
He was an important figure in the early Brussels art scene and works that passed through his hands became part of great and famous collections, such as those of Willy Mestach, Jef Vander Straete, and René and Odette Delenne, among many others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information:

Limited Edition:
Only 300 examples are printed and numbered!
They are available for €290
The book will be for sale at:
Vasco & Co (Brussels)
Gallery Jo de Buck – Tribal Arts