Testing time for the fine art market

Fine Art Auctions

Art + Object
March 25th

International Art Centre
March 29th

Two auctions coming up this month will give an indication of the strength of the art market both for contemporary work and historical.

The Art + Object sale will feature some of the paintings and works on paper which were part of the controversial group of works by Ralph Hotere which nearly went to auction last year.

They range from some delicate watercolours such as “Cote de Azur” ($2500 - $3500) to the large ink diptych “Raumati”($22,000 – $28,000). There are a number of his simple geometric works ($6000 - $9,000) as well as a couple of works on shaped canvases such as the politically charged “O Africa” ($45,000 - $65,000).

There are a few international works in the sale such as Richard Deacon's set of etchings, “Muzot No 1 – 4” ($8000 - $14,000), a Callum Innes work “Exposed Painting Red Yellow Violet Oxide Charcoal Black” ($22,000 - $30,000) and Rosalie Gascoigne’s work of reflective road sign parts, “Dandelion” ($170,000 - $240,000).

There are several Pat Hanly works on offer including three major works; a rare “Figures in Light No 12” ($130,000 - $170,000 from 1964, “Pacific Hope Vessel” ($80,000 - $120,000) and “Night Heart and Eye” ($25,000 - $35,000).

Other major works include a large six fold screen, “Primeval Screen” by Bill Hammond expected to sell for between $160,000 and $220,000 and an iconic Gordon Walters work for between $300,000 and $400,000.

Three works by the late Julian Dashper are on sale; a drumhead work ($14,000 - $20,000) and a couple of his paintings from the mid 1980’s “Regent” ($14,000 - $20,000) and an untitled work for $10,000 - $15,000)

Others works of interest include Lois White’s “Three Bathers” ($25,000 - $35,000), a Richard Killeen unique digital print ($10,000 - $14,000) and a large Alberto Garcia-Alvarez ($8000 - $14,000)

Among the works at the International Art Centre auction is a fine Charles Goldie of “Kapi Kapi” one of the survivors of the Tarawera eruption who died at the age of 102. While it is a relatively small work it is expected to sell for between $180,000 and $240,000.

There is an Alfred Sharpe watercolour of 1874, “Gathering Firewood near Orakei Bridge” ($45,000 – $50,000) which gives a glimpse of the beginnings of European settlement and construction.

The John Barr Hoyte view of “Lake Tarawera from Wairoa” ($30,000 - $40,000) is of the area before the eruption. Probably painted in 1873, it is virtually the same size and view as one in the Auckland Art Gallery collection.

There are also Hoyte’s views of “The Lion and the Palisades, Milford Sounds” ($22,000 - $28,000 and “Marlborough Bay” ($20,000 - $30,000)

There are five John Weeks works on offer showing a range of his subjects. A small Nude ($3200 - $3800), one of his modernist paintings, “Musical Composition” ($6000 - $10,000) and two Moroccan scenes including ”The Grand Mosque, Algiers” ($8000 - $10,000).

Of mainly historic interest is his “After the Elam Fire” ($5000 - $7000) which is a record of the disastrous fire which destroyed several hundred of his works in 1949

Another work with an Elam connection is Edward Payton’s “Whangaroa Harbour, Northland” ($4000 - $6000). Payton was the first director of the Elam School of Fine Arts who produced a large body of photographs but few of his paintings come on the market.