Auctioneer Spotlight: Andre Herselman and Marisha Jansen van Rensburg
Andre Herselman and Marisha Jansen van Rensburg (Photo courtesy of Andre and Marisha)
Park West believes that art is for everyone, and there’s no one who embodies that belief more than our onboard art auctioneers and gallery teams. When our collectors board a cruise ship with a Park West Gallery, they know they’re going to meet an exciting, passionate team of art lovers.
That’s why we take time every month to recognize one of our brightest auctioneer teams working today.
This month, we’d love to introduce you to Andre Herselman and Marisha Jansen van Rensburg. They both hail from South Africa and, after a chance meeting, they fell in love and decided to travel the world together as art auctioneers. Thanks to their globe-spanning relationship, they’ve helped countless collectors find the perfect work of art.
Marisha and Andre recently talked with us about how they met, the origins of their art careers, and some of their favorite collector memories—enjoy!
Previous Ships: Celebrity Solstice, Royal Caribbean International Anthem of the Seas, Norwegian Cruise Line Getaway, Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) Magic, CCL Fantasy, CCL Paradise, Princess Cruise Line Diamond, Holland America Line Zaandam
Current ship: MSC Seaside
Where is your hometown?
Andre: Hofmeyr, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It’s a tiny little town with only one paved road and two stop signs. We live on a farm about a 20-minute drive from Hofmeyr. My family has lived there since long before I was born.
Marisha: Bloemfontein, Freestate, South Africa—known as the “City of Flowers.” It’s about halfway between Cape Town and Johannesburg. It’s also where I met my husband Andre.
How did you start working as an international art auctioneer?
Andre: I have been at sea for over six years now—I originally started as a fitness director. I’ve always had a passion and a love for art. After seeing some of Andrew Bone’s brilliant photorealistic artwork on the Crown Princess, I realized what my dream job was. The auctioneer on board told me how wonderful it was working for Park West and about all the areas for growth and opportunity. Becoming an auctioneer was an easy decision and one of the best decisions I have ever made.
How did you both meet?
Marisha: Andre and I met each other while he was on vacation from a ship in my hometown. We tried the long-distance relationship thing for a little while when he went back. But it wasn’t long before he asked me to come work with him, travel the world, and fall further in love. We got engaged in September 2016 while our ship was sailing inside a glacier in Alaska and got married earlier this year.
Andre and Marisha celebrating at their wedding. (Photo courtesy of Andre and Marisha)
Who is your favorite Park West artist and why?
Andre: It’s hard to choose just one. We both love Peter Max, Romero Britto, Yaacov Agam, and so many more. We have a rather large collection ourselves, but, I have to say, with my passion for conservation, Andrew Bone has to be my favorite. Marisha actually got me an Andrew Bone oil painting as my wedding gift.
Marisha: I love figurative art, especially Pino and Anatoly Metlan, but the happiness of Britto’s art is undeniable. Who doesn’t smile when they see two kissing fish?
What are some of your favorite client memories since working together as a team?
Andre and Marisha: We’ve had the privilege of working with many repeat guests, and we’ve made so many lifelong friends over time.
There were the Australian collectors who wanted to make origami cranes for our wedding and send them to South Africa. Or lovely Alvin on Norwegian Getaway who was always sitting in Andre’s office chair every time he got there. Or our good friends, Jim and Gurie, who always put smiles on our faces and make us feel like family.
One guest, Shannon, had a sing-off with Marisha to Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” and another cried out of pure joy when her husband got her a unique Duaiv. We’ve been so lucky to have so many memorable moments with our wonderful guests.
(Photo courtesy of Andre and Marisha)
Out of all of your adventures around the world, what has been your favorite port?
Andre: I have been all over—Brazil, Mexico, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, France, Germany—just to name a few. However, Alaska has offered me so much. Marisha said yes to my proposal there, and the joy I saw in her eyes when she first saw the Northern Lights was one of the best moments of my life.
Marisha: Anywhere in the Caribbean. The warm sun, clear water, and breathtaking sunsets have to be at the top of my list.
What does life look like when you’re at home or not working?
Andre: When we are not traveling at sea, we try to travel at home as well. We believe traveling broadens the mind, but most of all, we enjoy spending time with each other and our loved ones as much as we can.
For the latest art and auctioneer news, follow Park West Gallery on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Interested in learning more about starting a career hosting art auctions on cruise ships? Visit Art Auctions Abroad for more details.
Learn more about some of Park West’s world-class auctioneers:
