Leslie Sacks
| Leslie J. Sacks | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1952 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Died | September 26, 2013 (age 61) |
| Nationality |
South Africa United States |
| 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][6] His father was South African businessman Wolfe Harry Sacks.[4][7]
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] 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 is survived by his wife Gina, an immigrant from South Korea;[2] sons Jared and Daniel; and stepsons Daniel and David.[1] His wife succeeded him as Board Chair of Women's Voices Now.[2] His sister Caron Sacks is married to Israeli politician Ze'ev Bielski[7] and is the mother of actess Adi Bielski. His brother Rodney Sacks is the founder of Monster Beverage.[4]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Los Angeles Times: "Leslie Sacks, Los Angeles art dealer, dies at 61" By David Ng October 23, 2013
- 1 2 3 4 5 Womans Voices Now Founding Board of Directors - "Leslie Sacks - Board Chair in Memoriam" retrieved April 29, 2015
- 1 2 Times of Israel: "The tree house that Leslie Sacks built" by Qanta Ahmed November 13, 2013
- 1 2 3 4 One Long House: Wolfe Sacks Archived May 1, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. retrieved April 29, 2015
- 1 2 3 Art Daily: "Leslie Sacks, founder and principal of Leslie Sacks Fine Art and Leslie Sacks Contemporary, dies at age 61" April 29, 2015
- ↑ Jewish Journal: "Obituaries - Leslie Sacks" October 23, 2013
- 1 2 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..."