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SOTHEBY’S Modern And Contemporary African Art Auction In London 16 October 2018 sothebys.com/contemporaryafrican
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onnecting collectors with outstanding works of art since 1744, Sotheby’s is the oldest and largest auction house in the world. Since its inaugural sale in 2017, the international auction house continues to lead at the forefront of the Modern and Contemporary African art market, championing artists from Africa and the diaspora. Sotheby’s Director and Head of Modern and Contemporary African Art, Hannah O’ Leary adds, “Sotheby’s entry into the Modern and Contemporary African art market marks a sea-change in this field, from a niche area to one of international interest. Sotheby’s – a blue chip name, listed on the New York Stock Exchange – gives credibility to this market on a global scale.” With its first two sales Sotheby’s achieved outstanding results for artists in this field, breaking over 35 artist records and attracting collectors from 33 countries across 6 continents. The most recent sale saw over half of lots selling above their high estimates and set fourteen auction records; most notably Nigerian master Ben Enwonwu’s ‘Africa Dances’ which soared above its presale estimate, realising £187,500/$265,744 (est.£20,000–30,000). The sale also saw stellar results from artists from the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the young Eddy Kamuanga Ilunga, whose Mangbetu achieved £65,000/$92,124 against a pre-sale estimate of £8,000-12,000, and Bodys Isek Kingelez’s Base King, which stormed past its pre-sale estimate of £10,000-15,000, selling for £42,500/$60,235. Kingelez will return to Sotheby’s this October with another intricate ‘maquette’ entitled, New Wax (est. £20,000-30,000). The artist, who passed away in 2015, is the subject of a large scale retrospective, on view at MoMa until 1 January 2019.
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Above: Kudzanai Chiurai, Ebony Estimate £10,000-15,000 Left: Gavin Jantjes Colour these Blacks White, Detail: A South African Colouring Book Eleven screen prints with collage and card folder (1974), Estimate £40,000-60,000.
This October, Sotheby’s presents a selection of works from across the African continent, featuring standout pieces by leading artists in this category, including El Anatsui, Ibrahim El-Salahi, Chéri Samba, Ouattara Watts, David Goldblatt, Kudzanai Chiurai, Pascale Marthine Tayou, Kader Attia and Marlene Dumas. This season’s sale will be led by contemporary art superstar, El Anatsui, and his shimmering bottle cap piece, TAGOMIZOR (est. 500,000-800,000). Featuring bands of black and gold geometric patterns, Anatsui’s TAGOMIZOR evokes imagery of traditional Ghanaian Adinkra symbols.
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