Leslie Sacks
Leslie J. Sacks | |
---|---|
Born |
1952 Johannesburg, South Africa |
Died | September 26, 2013 (age 61) |
Nationality |
South Africa United States |
Ethnicity | Jewish |
Occupation | art dealer and collector |
Spouse(s) | Gina Sacks |
Children |
Jared Sacks Daniel Sacks Daniel Sacks (stepson) David Sacks (stepson) |
Parent(s) | Wolfe Harry Sacks |
Family |
Rodney Sacks (brother) Caron Sacks (sister) Ze'ev Bielski (brother-in-law) Adi Bielski (niece) |
Website | |
http://womensvoicesnow.org http://www.lesliesacks.com |
Leslie J. Sacks (1952-September 26, 2013) was a Los Angeles-based art dealer[1] and founder of Women's Voices Now.[2]
Biography
Sacks was born to a Jewish family[3] in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1952,[4] the second of three children born to Lithuanian Jewish immigrants.[5] His father was South African businessman Wolfe Harry Sacks.[4][6] 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] 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 specialties 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]
Personal life and philanthropy
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] and 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
He died of cancer on September 26, 2013.[1] He is survived by his wife Gina, an immigrant from South Korea,[2] sons Jared and Daniel, and his stepsons Daniel and David.[1] His wife has succeeded him as Board Chair of Women's Voices Now.[2] His sister Caron Sacks is married to Israeli politician Ze'ev Bielski[6] and is the mother of actess Adi Bielski. His brother Rodney Sacks is the founder of Monster Beverage.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Los Angeles Times: "Leslie Sacks, Los Angeles art dealer, dies at 61" By David Ng October 23, 2013
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Womans Voices Now Founding Board of Directors - "Leslie Sacks - Board Chair in Memoriam" retrieved April 29, 2015
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Times of Israel: "The tree house that Leslie Sacks built" by Qanta Ahmed November 13, 2013
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 One Long House: Wolfe Sacks retrieved April 29, 2015
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Art Daily: "Leslie Sacks, founder and principal of Leslie Sacks Fine Art and Leslie Sacks Contemporary, dies at age 61" April 29, 2015
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Jerusalem Post: "Grapevine: US politicians flock to visit - Sculpture garden dedicated at Ariel University Center, and youth essay contest launched" By GREER FAY CASHMAN August 25, 2009 | "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..."