Leslie J. Sacks (1952 – September 26, 2013) was a Los Angeles–based art dealer[1] and founder of Women's Voices Now.[2]
Leslie J. Sacks | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1952 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Died | September 26, 2013 (age 61) |
| Nationality | South Africa United States |
| Alma mater | University of the Witwatersrand |
| Occupation(s) | Art dealer and collector |
| Spouse | Gina Brourman-Sacks |
| Children | 4 |
| Family | Rodney Sacks (brother) Ze'ev Bielski (brother-in-law) Adi Bielski (niece) |
| Website | http://womensvoicesnow.org http://www.lesliesacks.com |
Early life edit
Sacks was born to a Jewish family[3] in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1952,[2][4] the second of three children born to Lithuanian Jewish immigrants.[5][6] His father was South African businessman Wolfe Harry Sacks.[4][7] His sister Caron Sacks is married to Israeli politician Ze'ev Bielski,[7] and is the mother of actress Adi Bielski. His brother Rodney Sacks is the co-founder of Monster Beverage.[4]
Sacks graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand with a degree in psychology and computer science.[2] While in college, he fought against apartheid.[3]
Career edit
In 1981, he opened his first art gallery, Les Art, in South Africa. In 1991, he moved to Los Angeles and opened Leslie Sacks Fine Art in Brentwood, California.[1] In 2007, he purchased the Bobbie Greenfield Gallery at Bergamot Station, renaming it Leslie Sacks Contemporary. His specialities were African tribal art, post-war artists, and contemporary artists including Andy Warhol and Robert Motherwell.[1] His collection of African art was published in Refined Eye, Passionate Heart - African Art from the Leslie Sacks Collection by Skira.[5]
Philanthropy edit
In 2010, Sacks founded and funded Women's Voices Now, a charity dedicated to "empowering women living in Muslim-majority societies by promoting their free expression, thereby giving voice to the struggles for civil, economic, political, and gender rights".[2] He was an ardent supporter of the state of Israel.[5] Sacks produced a documentary about his father, South Africa businessman Wolfe Harry Sacks.[4]
Personal life edit
Sacks died of cancer on September 26, 2013.[1] He was survived by his wife Gina Brourman-Sacks, an immigrant from South Korea.[8] He has two sons and two stepsons.[1] His wife succeeded him as board chair of Women's Voices Now.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e Ng, David (October 23, 2013). "Leslie Sacks, Los Angeles art dealer, dies at 61". The Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b c d e "Leslie Sacks – Board Chair (In Memoriam) – Women's Voices Now Founder, Philanthropist". Women's Voices Now. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
- ^ a b Ahmed, Qanta (November 13, 2013). "The tree house that Leslie Sacks built - Remembering a Jewish art lover who championed the rights of Muslim women". The Times of Israel.
- ^ a b c d One Long House: Wolfe Sacks Archived May 1, 2015, at the Wayback Machine retrieved April 29, 2015
- ^ a b c "Leslie Sacks, founder and principal of Leslie Sacks Fine Art and Leslie Sacks Contemporary, dies at age 61". ArtDaily. April 29, 2015.
- ^ "Obituaries - Leslie Sacks". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. October 23, 2013.
- ^ a b Cashman, Greer Fay (August 25, 2009). "Grapevine: US politicians flock to visit - Sculpture garden dedicated at Ariel University Center, and youth essay contest launched". Jerusalem Post.
The garden was donated by Bielski's brother-in-law Leslie Sacks of Los Angeles in memory of his father Wolfe (Harry) Zev Sacks. Leslie Sacks, his mother, sister Caron and other family members..."
- ^ "Gina Brourman-Sacks". Women's Voices Now. 20 December 2019.