In their half-yearly fine art auction, Bonhams present 162 lots, an unusually large offering including a number of Aboriginal artworks.
Closer inspection of the catalogue reveals that the first 19 lots are from mixed vendors, and the remainder is made up from just two collections: the Bonita Croft and late Gene Zemaitis collection comprising lots 20 to 58, while the majority, lots 59 to 162, are from the collection of the Late Michael Hobbs OAM.
Both these collections allow a revealing insight into the reasons for collecting, as well as the style and range of a collection. In particular the Hobbs collection presents some wonderful “small” and early works of younger artists. Their lower spectrum of estimates, starting from $700, surely would make for an enticing entry into buying in the fine art auction room.
Bonhams will donate a part of their proceeds to the establishment of the Michael Hobbs People’s Choice Award, partnered with Contour 556 which supports Australian artists and foster the role of art.
Personal viewing in Sydney is from 14 to 19 June at the NCJWA Hall, 111 Queen Street, Woollahra, and online at the Bonhams’ website.
The auction takes place in the same venue on Wednesday, 20 June, starting at 6 pm.
If you are looking to add to your own collection, contact us for unbiased and independent advice and due diligence prior to the sale. Simply contact us on 02 9977 7764 and email info@bhfineart.com. We are happy to assist you before, during and after the auction.
And Dave’s Faves are:
Lot 1 – Ethel Spowers, The Timber Crane, 19 x 23.5 cm, est. $10,000-15,000. Fifty Shades of GreyLot 2 – Herbert Badham, The Bus Stop, 1958, 54.5 x 44 cm, est. $40,000-60,000. Don’t Quit!Lot 3 – Roy de Maistre, Still Life with Marrow, c1934, 28 x 38 cm, est. $50,000-70,000. Modernist Marrow?Lot 4 – Roy de Maistre, Figure on Sofa, c1932, 48 x 59 cm, est. $20,000-30,000. Yves Klein Blue
Lot 8 – Sidney Nolan, Burke and Camel, 1964, 76 x 68.5 cm, est. $50,000-70,000. Rollin’ NolanLot 21 – Cressida Campbell, Kitchen Utensils, 1993, 46 x 62 cm, est. $50,000-70,000. My Kitchen RulesLot 59 – Robert Klippel, Opus 240, 1968, 45 x 52 cm, est. $10,000-15,000. Praying MantisLot 60 – Clement Meadmore, Kelly, c1955, 23 cm high, est. $4,000-6,000. Ned Kelly Armed and ArmouredLot 66 – Ralph Balson, Painting no. 36, 1956, 59 x 66.5 cm, est. $80,000-120,000. Balson The BoldLot 86 – Nicholas Harding, Frangipani, 2003, 51 x 51 cm, est. $,500-6,500. Fluid FrangipaniLot 88 – Emily Kngwarreye, Untitled, 1994, 91.5 x 61 cm, est. $6,000-9,000. Stick Your Red Dot HereLot 94 – Noel McKenna, Two Islands, 1988, 23.5 x 29 cm, est. $700-1,000. Islands in the StreamLot 97 – Shaun Gladwell, Study for an aRt Gallery with staircase and lift access, 1998, 40 x 60 cm, est. $2,000-4,000. NGV Contemporary Gallery Proposal Perhaps?Lot 99 – Sidney Nolan, Bottlebrush, 1953, 71.5 x 58.5 cm, est. $25,000-35,000. Don’t Brush This One AsideLot 105 – Rosalie Gascoigne, Collection II, c1976/77, 14 x 38.5 cm, est. $5,000-8,000. Start Your Own Butterfly CollectionLot 109 – Marea Gazzard, Personage II, 2005, 28.5 cm high, est. $4,000-6,000. Marea’s Muted MaskLot 110 – George Baldessin, Untitled (diptych), 11 cm high each, est. $800-1,200. A Fine PairLot 129 – Bronwyn Oliver, Spin, 2003, 32.5 cm high, est. $40,000-60,000. Put Your Own Spin On ItLot 137 – Cressida Campbell, Mandarin with Chinese, Plate, 2004, 17 x 19.5 cm, est. $12,000-18,000. Oranges are not the only fruitLot 138 – Rosalie Gascoigne, Pavement III, 1998, 69 x 52 cm, est. $50,000-70,000. It’s obviously a signLot 147 – Euan MacLeod, Study Tall Iceberg no. 10, 2009, 51 x 38 cm, est. $1,200-2,000. Winter’s Finally Here
