Independent Contemporary Fine Art Consultant, Curator and Artist.

1. Sandy Bekker: a 60-second sketch
Broad strokes
I’m an art curator, commercial art expert, fine artist, and art
consultant with a particular love for - and knowledge of -
contemporary South African art.
Drawing in the details
I hold a BA in Fine Art (Education) from the University of
Stellenbosch, a Certificate from the Ruth Prowse School of
Art in Cape Town, and a Certificate in Financial
Management from the University of Cape Town.
In the early years of my career, I worked in the
architectural industry as a 3-D renderer, interior stylist,
project coordinator, and graphic artist - and I continue to
work with architects, interior designers, and landscapers.
From 2010 onwards, I simultaneously managed and curated five major contemporary
commercial art galleries, and in some cases worked as the project leader in establishing them
from scratch: Knysna Fine Art, A Different Drummer (Knysna), The Gallery at Grande
Provence (Franschhoek), The Shop at Grande Provence (Franschhoek), and Agapanthus
(Cape Town).
During this time I also curated group and solo exhibitions at CIRCA (Johannesburg), The
John Martin Gallery (London), The Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunste Fees (Oudtshoorn), and at
top venues like The Conrad Pezula Hotel and The Turbine Hotel in Knysna - and worked with
prominent and emerging artists like Dylan Lewis, Lionel Smit, Phillemon Hlungwani, Hylton
Nel, Keith Joubert, Shany van den Berg, Obie Oberholzer, and Lucinda Mudge. (See
Phillemon Hlungwani for a list of selected exhibitions I’ve curated).
In 2017 I launched iafricagallery.com, through which I aim to promote Southern Africa’s
hidden and emerging visual artists, and to bridge the divide between outstanding local artists
and domestic and overseas collectors who’re looking to invest in exceptional, contemporary
African talent.
Finishing & framing
This broad level of experience has given me a deep understanding of what it is to be a visual
artist, and of the many ways in which the elements of visual language can be communicated
today - and my knowledge of the art and science of financial management equips me when it
comes to advising private and corporate collectors from around the world.
Oh ja: and I’m a sociable, empathetic, approachable person - which helps enormously when it
comes to uniting the right art with the right client.
Signature
Sandy Bekker
sandy@iafricagallery.com
www.iafricagallery.com
July, 2017

2. Sandy Bekker, curator: selected exhibitions
Roadtrip - graphic paintings by Alex Hamilton
Knysna Fine Art, 2010
Cullinan - charcoal drawings by Phillemon Hlungwani
Sponsored by Petra Diamonds at the John Martin Gallery, London, 2013
Faces: a safe place - paintings by Leon Vermeulen
The Gallery at Grande Provence, Franschhoek, 2013
Elementals - sculptures by Andre Stead
Knysna Fine Art, 2013
In the Footsteps of Heroes - charcoal drawings by Phillemon Hlungwani
Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunste Fees, Oudtshoorn, 2014)
Tussen Twee Oewers - paintings by Leon Vermeulen
Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunste Fees, Oudtshoorn, 2014
Lasers in the Jungle - ceramics by Lucinda Mudge
The Gallery at Grande Provence, Franschhoek, 2014
Cultus paintings by Claude Jammet (a South African now resident in Italy)
CIRCA, Johannesburg, 2015
Recent silicone & embroidery paintings - Arjan van Arendonk (The Netherlands)
Knysna Fine Art, 2015
From Giyani to Alexandra - charcoal drawings by Phillemon Hlungwani
The Gallery at Grande Provence, Franschhoek
B.Y.O.I.D. (Bring Your Own Identity) - group exhibition of 50 of South Africa’s finest artists
including Dylan Lewis, Lionel Smit, Phillemon Hlungwani, Shany van den Berg,
Lucinda Mudge, Hannalie Taute, Peter van Straten, and Toby Megaw
Knysna Fine Art, 2015
Transmutation: The Alchemy of Art - group exhibition of 50 of South Africa’s finest artists
including Lionel Smit, Phillemon Hlungwani, Shany van den Berg, Lucinda Mudge,
Hannalie Taute, Gary Stephens, Colbert Mashile, Krisjan Roussouw, and Elizabeth
Balcolmb
Knysna Fine Art, 2016