29th Oct, 2025 12:00
Modern & Contemporary African & Middle Eastern Art
18
BRETT CHARLES SEILER (ZIMBABWEAN B.1994)
148 x 93.5cm; 58 1/4 x 36 3/4in (framed)
Property of a Private Collector, Cambridge
Provenance
Acquired directly from artist
Strauss and Co, Cape Town
Sale, Strauss & Co., 24 June 2025, lot 244
Acquired from the above auction by the present owner
The DinksFãStan Private Collection, Cambridge, UK
gallery LAB, FNB Art Joburg, Pride or Die, curated by Jana Terblanche, 6 to 18 November 2020
Brett Charles Seiler’s paintings present an interior world that references themes of desire, anxiety, the male body, domestic space, poetry, Queer history, Biblical symbolism, love, and alienation. His use of material, colour, and line has developed into a distinct style.
In his early works, Seiler incorporated accessible materials such as found photographs and fabric. His approach emphasises the role of the raw materials in the conceptual potency of the finished composition; the unrefined texture and sketched lines suggest moments captured and preserved.
In Seiler’s conventional scenes, backgrounds create ambiguity, with both flatness and depth coexisting. The depiction of male subjects (such as that of Breaking Up and Hooking Up) features delicate linework, while their poses convey an intimacy not articulated to the viewer. These compositions have been compared to Cezanne’s studies of men but differ in their symbolic and narrative emphasis.
The composition and its resulting conceptual interpretations reflect Seiler’s experiences and perspectives related to identity. His work also demonstrates an interest in artistic practice and art history. Brett currently lives and works between Cape Town, South Africa and Leipzig, Germany, and graduated from The Ruth Prowse School of Art in 2015.
Since 2019, his paintings have often featured groups of men in minimally detailed interiors, engaged in personal moments. This lot exemplifies his ability to transform memories into poignant visual diaries of queer existence.
The works within the exhibition are autobiographical, depicting intimate moments and memories, created using materials like roof paint, wood scraps, and bitumen. These materials not only shape the forms in his works but also construct a 'home' for the subject matter, blending personal narrative with a politically defiant edge.
"Seiler's works read as confessions, or diary entries left exposed. Seiler, too, uses text in his work, single sentences with his characteristic honesty, sometimes sentimental, more often blunt."-Lucienne Bestall
Lucienne Bestall quoted in Indio Friedman (2022) The Cape Creative Collective, Brett Seiler: Investec Art Fair, online, https://capecreativecollective.co.za/art/brett-seiler-investec-art-fair/, accessed 14 February 2024.
148 x 93.5cm; 58 1/4 x 36 3/4in (framed)
Property of a Private Collector, Cambridge
Provenance
Acquired directly from artist
Strauss and Co, Cape Town
Sale, Strauss & Co., 24 June 2025, lot 244
Acquired from the above auction by the present owner
The DinksFãStan Private Collection, Cambridge, UK
gallery LAB, FNB Art Joburg, Pride or Die, curated by Jana Terblanche, 6 to 18 November 2020
Brett Charles Seiler’s paintings present an interior world that references themes of desire, anxiety, the male body, domestic space, poetry, Queer history, Biblical symbolism, love, and alienation. His use of material, colour, and line has developed into a distinct style.
In his early works, Seiler incorporated accessible materials such as found photographs and fabric. His approach emphasises the role of the raw materials in the conceptual potency of the finished composition; the unrefined texture and sketched lines suggest moments captured and preserved.
In Seiler’s conventional scenes, backgrounds create ambiguity, with both flatness and depth coexisting. The depiction of male subjects (such as that of Breaking Up and Hooking Up) features delicate linework, while their poses convey an intimacy not articulated to the viewer. These compositions have been compared to Cezanne’s studies of men but differ in their symbolic and narrative emphasis.
The composition and its resulting conceptual interpretations reflect Seiler’s experiences and perspectives related to identity. His work also demonstrates an interest in artistic practice and art history. Brett currently lives and works between Cape Town, South Africa and Leipzig, Germany, and graduated from The Ruth Prowse School of Art in 2015.
Auction: Modern & Contemporary African & Middle Eastern Art, 29th Oct, 2025
If you want to start collecting striking modern and contemporary art in a newly developing market, our sales are for you. Each spring and autumn, the Modern and Contemporary African and Middle Eastern Department hold tightly curated, live and online auctions. Expect to find Arab artists such as Tahia Halim, Seif Wanly, Mahmoud Said and Mohanna Durra. African artists featured have ranged from modern masters such as Ablade Glover, Sam Ntiro and Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, to contemporary artists George Lilanga, Jilali Gharbaoui, Famakan Magassa, Christano Mangovo, Oluwole Omofemi, Esther Mahlangu and Brett Seiler.
PUBLIC EXHIBITION:
Sunday 26th October: 12pm to 4pm
Monday 27th October: 10am to 8pm (Drinks 5-8pm)
Tuesday 28th October: 10am to 5pm
