The Josef Herman Foundation Art Auction

The Josef Herman Art Foundation Cymru is holding its 2^nd major charity art auction on Friday 2^nd June 2023 at Rogers Jones Auctioneers in Cardiff. The auction will contain works by well-known Welsh artists of international repute, including Royal Cambrian Academy members and The Welsh Group of artists. It will feature work from artists and makers including Jacqueline Alkema, Karina Roseanne Barrett, Seren Bell, Ken Dukes, Philip Eglin, Cicely Hey (a member of The Bloomsbury Group), Elfyn Jones, Jacqueline Jones, Julia Griffiths Jones, Mike Jones, Paul Joyner, Zara Kuchi, Karel Lek, Gus Payne, Hilary Powell, Elaine Preece-Stanley, Pea J Restall, Sula Rubens, Kevin Sinnott, Beatrice Williams and Jeremy Yates. We are also including a range of work by Josef Herman donated by the Herman Estate in support of the Foundation’s work.

The Auction celebrates our first 20 years as a charity, with the Foundation established in 2003, and proceeds will support our continued work in arts and education, working with local communities and schools in often disadvantaged areas in Wales and increasing access to artists and the arts, as well as our work in the field of human rights. Half of all funds raised will also support the acquisition and further development of the former Sardis Chapel in Ystradgynlais, which the Foundation is developing as a future arts and heritage centre and the new home for our collection.

We are extremely grateful to Rogers Jones Auctioneers and Ben Rogers Jones will be taking the auction in their showroom with bidding also available online. The Foundation is also working with The Welfare at Ystradgynlais and has arranged a pre-auction exhibition from Thursday 27^th April to Saturday 20^th May 2023 so that potential buyers will have the opportunity to view the works prior to the event.

The Josef Herman Foundation is a registered charity established to celebrate the life and work of the Polish Jewish refugee artist who fled the Warsaw ghettos, finding a home in Ystradgynlais, Wales. The Foundation is based at The Welfare Hall in Ystradgynlais in South Wales and we are a registered charity (Reg. 1110064) dedicated to promoting an appreciation of the life and work of Josef Herman RA, fostering a wider appreciation of the arts and a greater understanding of human rights. Patrons include The Most Reverend & Right Honourable Dr Rowan Williams, David Herman, actor Michael Sheen, writer and playwright Ed Thomas, Mair Francis and the former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Baron the Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd and Lady Elizabeth Ann Thomas.

The Foundation:

• Exhibits and cares for a collection of over 150 original drawings, prints and photographs donated from the Herman Estate for the benefit of the local community. We hold regular exhibitions from our permanent collection and the work of Welsh artists and hold regular events, talks and guided walks in the locality surrounding Ystradgynlais.

• Hosts a Schools Programme and works in partnership with community groups, schools and local people, using Josef Herman and his connections to the heritage of post-industrial South West Wales as a catalyst for education, cultural and community regeneration;

• Develops national/international links through work to support community development in a disadvantaged area of Wales, raising awareness of the importance of human rights and working with schools, families and community across 5 local authorities in Wales. The Foundation has also organised outreach projects in association with Tate Britain.

• Supports 2 significant annual prize awards, including a Graduate Award in memory of our former Chair and trustee Carolyn Davies and given to a new graduate from University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and our Josef Herman Dewis y Bobl (People’s Choice Award) at the National Eisteddfod where the public vote on their favourite work from the Eisteddfod’s Lie Celf exhibition.

For more information about the Foundation, to join our Friends service and how to become involved, please visit our website at www.josefhermanfoundation.org or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JHAFCymru/.

We would particularly like to thank Ben Rogers Jones for volunteering his time and expertise, and the Royal Cambrian Academy and The Welsh Group for helping to get the word out to artists and everyone who has contributed to the project.

How to Bid

There are two ways to place a bid during the auction:

Bidding from the auction room: Bidders can arrive at the auction-house to bid during the auction or before the commencement of the auction. On arrival all bidders register at reception to receive a bidding number paddle, new bidders will need to enter their details and ID may be required, returning clients may not have to complete details again (depending on when they last registered). It is good practice to bid by raising the bidding card supplied as this is the best way of getting the attention of the auctioneer. Once the lots that were of interest have been offered, then the bidder can leave the auction room and pay for any lots won by chip and pin. We ask that room bidders always pay by chip and pin on the day and then if possible collect their lots with a member of the auction team immediately after paying. However, if the bidder wishes to return again to collect purchased lots, then please make this known to a member of the team and book an appointment. Rogers Jones can also arrange delivery with local carriers if this is required.

Bidding online: All Rogers Jones 'live' auctions have live bidding online. Bidders are required to register their details including their debit card details from the catalogue page. Please note that credit cards are not valid, only debit cards. Please ensure that you are registered with them before you bid and call them if unsure. When you are bidding ‘live’ please bid quickly and do not hover your cursor over the bidding button as this will slow the auction down. Please note that it is better to watch the numbers (the digital prices) rather than the audio or video as there can be a time delay.

For more information, please contact Rogers Jones auctioneers on cardiffinfo@rogersjones.co.uk, telephone 02920 708125 or visit their website at https://www.rogersjones.co.uk.