In closing the Cape Town Art Fair, the Chairman and Founder of The Sovereign Group (sponsors of the Cape Town Art Fair) Howard Bilton said: “We asked children to put stickers next to their favourite artwork; the idea behind this was that Sovereign would then buy the kids’ most popular artwork.
We decided to go a step further and offer the work as a donation to the permanent collection of Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, which opens in 2016 at the V&A Waterfront. The children’s choice was a work by Jody Paulsen exhibited in the Brundyn + Gallery stand. As this piece was already sold, we will support the purchase of a new work by Jody Paulsen to be commissioned by Zeitz MOCAA.”
Jody Paulsen, Inner Poise, 2014. Felt, 230 x 230 cm.
Mark Coetzee, Executive Director and Chief Curator said: “The Trustees, Director and Chief Curator of Zeitz MOCAA are honoured to have this work included in Zeitz MOCAA’s collection. The work of Jody Paulsen is on our future acquisition list so this gift fits in perfectly with our collection strategy This painting will be named The Sovereign Art Foundation Children’s Choice (from the 2014 Cape Town Art Fair). Our curatorial team will work closely with the artist to ensure this commission is a museum quality piece to be held at Zeitz MOCAA in perpetuity. It is with the generosity of donors like Howard Bilton that Zeitz MOCAA will grow and fulfill its role in Cape Town, Africa and the World.”
The Sovereign Art Foundation raises money to support disadvantaged children using art as education, rehabilitation and therapy. In Asia, Sovereign has already raised over US$4-m and helped more than 12 000 kids. Through working with NGOs such as the Lalela Project in South Africa, the company is now committed to helping more and more disadvantaged children in Africa.
