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
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
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
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
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]