- The private art collection of Kindertransport refugee and pioneering technology entrepreneur Dame Stephanie Shirley is set to go under the hammer.
- The collection of modern art, sculpture and furnishings – which had been at Dame Stephanie’s home in Henley-on-Thames, is being sold by Newbury based auction house Dreweatts next month.
- It comes after her death last August, with all proceeds raised from the sale of Dame Stephanie’s estate going to Autistica – a leading autism research and advocacy charity she founded in 2004.
- Among the highlights of the sale are sculptures by British artists Dame Barbara Hepworth and William Turnbull – both of which are expected to fetch up to £150,000 each.
Born Vera Buchthal in the German city of Dortmund in 1933, Dame Stephanie was one of thousands of Jewish children to flee the Nazis to Britain as part of the Kindertransport.
She went on to become a computer industry and women’s rights pioneer in the 1950s and 1960s, and founded the software company Freelance Programmers.
The firm almost exclusively hired women, whilst she adopted the name “Steve” to help her in the male-dominated tech world.
In later life, Dame Stephanie donated most of her £150m fortune to good causes, including to help those with autism and to IT projects.
Joe Robinson, from Dreweatts, said the collection was “defined by clarity of taste and the confidence to live with exceptional works”.
“From modern sculpture and studio pottery to beautifully chosen furnishings, every piece reflects Dame Stephanie’s belief that art belongs in daily life.“
He added that the sale felt like a “fitting tribute to such a significant personal legacy“.
Autistica’s interim chief executive Rebecca Sterry said the charity was “honoured” that it would benefit from funds raised by the auction.
“Dame Stephanie Shirley’s life was defined by purpose, curiosity, and generosity,” she said.
“Her values and beliefs are embedded in our charity and drive our commitment to innovative problem solving, acting with urgency and embracing difference.“