'The ultimate price is defined when the hammer falls, I like that drama' - Art auctioneer, Susie Goodman

Stephen Grootes interviews Susie Goodman, Executive Director of Strauss & Co.

Listen to the interview in the audio player below.

There are lots of different routes to end up in certain professions, but not many people do a degree in Art History, then end up running an auction house.

That's the career path of Susie Goodman, the Executive Director of Strauss & Co, which is considered as Africa's Leading Art Auction House.

After receiving her Bachelor of Arts (Art History) at the University of Cape Town, she furthered her studies with the world-renowned Christie’s Fine Art Auctioneers Education department in London. That's where she earned her stripes, serving as an internship at Christie’s King Street, after which she took up a position in the client advisory department where she worked for nine years, including as Head of Client Advisory, and as an Associate Director.

"It's an amazing privilege for me to be able to sell art this way."

- Susie Goodman, Executive Director - Strauss & Co.

"A few weeks ago we sold a painting for R31m, and I promise you, you could've heard not only a pin drop, but you could hear everyone inhaling as the price grew and exhaling as the next person bid."

- Susie Goodman, Executive Director - Strauss & Co.

She returned to South Africa in 2006 with international experience in the business of fine art auctions, and with a vision to showcase artists from Southern Africa to collectors across the world.

Goodman joined the Strauss & Co. in 2011, where she specialised in client advisory services. 

Seven years later she was appointed an executive board member, taking on an increasing number of roles in the company, including being responsible for the efficient functioning of specialist departments, people, operations, technology and finance. 

Speaking to Stephen Grootes on The Money Show, Goodman says she's always been captivated by the artform of auctioneering.

"The thing that grabbed me about an auction is the culmination of an amazing journey of finding artworks to sell on behalf of the seller, and obviously presenting them to the future buyer. Then working with the buyer to place them in a collection." 

- Susie Goodman, Executive Director - Strauss & Co.

"The bit about auctions that really, really grabbed me was that you don't really know what's going to happen on the night."

- Susie Goodman, Executive Director - Strauss & Co.

"Yes you've got a value, yes you've got a reserve, yes you've got people interested. But if you've got all of the ingredients and you have two or three people who land up fighting for it, the numbers get bigger and the excitement gets bigger and the adrenaline drives faster." 

- Susie Goodman, Executive Director - Strauss & Co.

Scroll to the top of the article to listen to the full interview.