Contact Us for a Quote:

Dave’s Faves from the August art auctions

Prepare yourself for the next round of fine art auctions, as they bring together a fabulous diversity of art at all levels.

In the most competitive art market in many years, and with a clamour for the best art, Bonhams, Sotheby’s and Deutscher + Hackett have some rare and extraordinary offerings.

With art market prices some 20 to 30 % below 2007 expectations and results, there are bargains to be had.

Bonhams are first on Monday, 22 August, with 94 lots; Sotheby’s on Tuesday with 67 lots, and then we fly to Melbourne on the 31st of August for the Deutscher + Hackett sale with 165 lots.

David had to be fair to all, so he has picked his 10 favourite images from each. Go to the auction houses websites if you have any faves or would like to discuss any other works on offer – just give him a call on 02 9977 7764 or email.

Here they are:

Bonhams
Lot 3 John Olsen – fun with frolicking frogs
Lot 9 Rick Amor – the ‘smart’ money’s on this one
Lot 14 John Peter Russell – no money for Monet
Lot 16 Charles Blackman – putting things into perspective
Lot 25 William Robinson – is that really ‘fog’ at Nimbin?
Lot 32 Nicolas Chevalier – quirk, quirky, quirkiest
Lot 34 James R. Jackson – From ’08, oh great
Lot 40 Ben Quilty – think of a number and double it
Lot 44 eX de Medici – would make a great tattoo
Lot 61 Sol LeWitt – I just like it – ok!

Sotheby’s
Lot 1 Justin O’Brien – delightful and considered
Lot 3 Brett Whiteley – Twisted, tortured, triumphant
Lot 9 Rah Fizelle – this works deserves to set a new auction record for the artist
Lot 12 Donald Friend – Ikon by Icon
Lot 13 Russell Drysdale – simple and effective
Lot 17 Arthur Streeton – Streeton’s magic
Lot 31 John Perceval –  creative chaos
Lot 32 John Perceval – showing his sculptural brilliance
Lot 54 Ralph Balson – will Australian abstract painting always be so reasonably priced?
Lot 56 Robert Klippel – Jackson Pollock

Deutscher + Hackett
Lot 1 Denis Beaubois – Now this is seriously funny!
Lot 2 Peter Booth – Stop press – prices set to rise fivefold in the next five years – they deserve to anyway
Lot 3 Brett Whiteley – Don’t be put off by the rain
Lot 7 John Brack – I want. I want. I want!
Lot 12 Emanuel Phillips Fox – a new auction record for the artist?
Lot 14 Emanuel Phillips Fox – in the swim at Shelley beach (Manly)
Lot 22 Fred Williams – be prepared to pay a very high price for this fantastic gouache
Lot 60 Bill Henson – dark masterpieces
Lot 136 Fred Williams – original Williams for $ 1,000 to $ 1,500
Lot 139 Max Dupain – who needs Man Ray anyway?

10 August 2011

Buyer beware, especially when buying art

Not much riles David more than tales of injustice with art purchases.

So he (and I) are very pleased when SMH arts journalist Louise Schwartzkoff took on this story about buying art at sea on a cruise ship. In this case, hopefully Jason will get a full refund of his $ 20,000.

It proves once more that it is very important to seek independent and unbiased advice before making an art purchase.

Get in touch with us before you spend a considerable sum of money on art.