Leslie Sacks

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 Art dealer and collector
Spouse(s) Gina Brourman-Sacks
Children 4
Parent(s) Wolfe Harry Sacks
Family Rodney Sacks (brother)
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]

Early life

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]

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, 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 actress Adi Bielski. His brother Rodney Sacks is the co-founder of Monster Beverage.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Los Angeles Times: "Leslie Sacks, Los Angeles art dealer, dies at 61" By David Ng October 23, 2013
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Womans Voices Now Founding Board of Directors - "Leslie Sacks - Board Chair in Memoriam" retrieved April 29, 2015
  3. 1 2 Times of Israel: "The tree house that Leslie Sacks built" by Qanta Ahmed November 13, 2013
  4. 1 2 3 4 One Long House: Wolfe Sacks Archived May 1, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. retrieved April 29, 2015
  5. 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
  6. ↑ Jewish Journal: "Obituaries - Leslie Sacks" October 23, 2013
  7. 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..."
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