Original Caetani Artwork to be Auctioned at Caetani Fundraiser, September 10th
Like Claude Monet and Maud Lewis before her, the late artist Sveva Caetani gained more appreciation for her work after her death.
Caetani’s story and art have since become the focus of several books and documentary films since she passed away in 1994, while her former home and property, now the Caetani Centre in Vernon, BC, is the site of a museum, art gallery and cultural programming.
Today, Caetani’s masterful Recapitulation Series, returned to the Caetani Centre in 2021 by the Alberta Foundation for the Arts where it resided for 35 years, is celebrated and seen by hundreds of visitors each year.
However, up to now there is only one public record of a Caetani original watercolour being sold, and that occurred in 2008 when Caetani’s Andromach's Brothers, created in 1972, was auctioned for $3,738.
That is all about to change when the Caetani Centre holds its new fundraiser, the Caetani Classic Charity Golf and Gala for the Arts, Sept. 10 at The Rise Resort in Vernon.
A charity auction will take place as part of the event, and amongst other renowned Okanagan artists work on the block, will be an original framed watercolour on paper by Caetani herself.
“We hope that potential buyers will be intrigued by the fact that Sveva’s work is finally getting the recognition that it so deserves and that this should be a feather in any art collector’s cap to own an original Sveva Caetani painting,” said aj jaeger, President of the Caetani Cultural Centre Society board, which is hosting the fundraiser.
The painting has been donated by Rhondda Biggs, a friend of Caetani’s, who returned the painting to the Caetani Centre back in 2015. It is a study of the elephant god Ganesha, known in Hinduism as the remover of obstacles and bringer of luck, as well as the patron of arts and sciences and the deity of intellect and wisdom.
Biggs says the painting came to her as a sort of “gag gift” from Sveva after she had finished painting "To Ganesha: The Good Companions,” which would become part of Caetani’s masterful Recapitulations Series.
“Sveva wouldn’t show the painting to me or our (mutual friend) Joan Heriot until it was done. When I first looked at it, I said it looked like an elephant in drag. Sveva thought that was hilarious and we all went to pieces laughing. Eight months later, she presented me with my very own painting of Ganesha. She was delighted in giving it to me.”
Caetani Cultural Centre Society President aj jaeger holds the Sveva Caetani painting of Ganesha, which will be auctioned off at the Caetani Classic Charity Golf and Gala for the Arts on Sept. 10 at The Rise Resort.
Biggs believes that Caetani would approve of the Ganesha being auctioned off as a way to support Sveva’s former home and the diverse arts programming that now takes place at the Caetani Centre.
“Fundraising is an essential part of being able to offer programs and events that run the gamut from our artists-in-residence program to inclusive workshops for underserved populations and to exhibitions for young artists, and more. It also helps us maintain our 1895 heritage property so that we can welcome guests from all around the world to learn Sveva’s story and see her Recapitulation Series,” said Laisha Rosnau.
Heading the Caetani Classic Charity live auction will be professional auctioneer Paul Bielby of Benefit Auctions, who has helmed other international art auctions, including at past Caetani Splash fundraisers. Besides the artwork, the auction will also feature a flight for two anywhere that WestJet flies and a luxury vacation package to Tuscany, Italy. A golf vacation package in Mexico will also be part of the silent auction.
The gala dinner and auction will take place in The Rise’s brand new restaurant The Edge, and will be one of the first events to take place in the venue.
“It is a beautiful new space for Vernon and has incredible views of Okanagan Lake and the valley below and I hear the food is as good as the views,” said Sattu Mahapatra, Caetani Classic committee chair. “We are very grateful to our title sponsor SC Carts as well as to all the other businesses, organizations and artists who have generously donated to our event.”
Preceding the gala will be a fun nine-hole golf tournament that will feature a shotgun start and Texas Scramble play.
Patrons can opt to attend both the golf tournament and gala, or for limited tickets, just the gala dinner and auction, which also includes a cocktail reception.
Tickets for the Sept. 10 event are available at the Ticket Seller. The catalogue for artwork up for auction will be available for viewing in the next week at Benefit Auctions.
To learn more about Sveva Caetani and her legacy, please read this article written by Adriana Davies, published in the BC Review.