Sunflowers, an oil on canvas painting by Irma Stern, sold for $538,524 at Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary African Art auction in London. Image: Sotheby’s

ART AUCTION NEWS

Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary African Art auction in London realized $3,611,376 with several African artists making auction records.

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE

LONDON-After great expectations, Sotheby’s modern and contemporary African art auction happened in London. Sadly, the sale did not break the record set by Bonhams several years ago.  Nonetheless, it was a great start for Sotheby’s in its efforts to sell modern and contemporary African art. During the sale, 155 lots were offered and 79 works were sold for a total of $3,611,376. The sale surpassed the set estimate.

Leading the sale was Earth Developing More Roots by El Anatsui. The relief sculpture made from aluminum bottle caps and copper wire sold for $941,691, surpassing the estimate of £650,000–850,00.

As expected, the auction brought together collectors from across the globe. Those that could not make it to the auction venue were on the phone, bidding for their favorite works. Collectors from 29 countries slogged it out on the auction floor at this exciting auction that saw many surprises.

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Irma Stern’s Sunflower, an oil on canvas painted in 1942, did not disappoint. When it came on the block, collectors from across the globe demanded to have it in their collection. The painting measuring 86 by 86cm was done during Stern’s travels to the Belgian Congo. This was during the Second World War.

Stern’s visit to Congo and painting during the trip took her mind away from the raging violence. Sunflower was acquired directly from the artist in June 1944 by Caroline (‘Ina’), Lady Oppenheimer.  The painting consists of five sunflowers in brilliant yellow. Estimated at £350,000 — 550,000, it sold for $538, 524  (£416,750) to a private collector in Africa.

Crash Willy by Yinka Shonibare was one of the works at the auction that got collectors very excited. Made from a mannequin, Dutch wax printed cotton textile, leather, fiberglass, and metal, the work was conceived in 2009. Done in Shonibare’s unique style, the sculpture depicts a man sitting lifelessly behind his crashed car.  The car is ruined and the man seems dead in what is a dramatic event borrowed from history. Crash Willy is an important example of Yinka Shonibare’s work, especially the ones from the Tableaux Vivants series. The piece had an estimate of between £120,000 and 180,000, the piece sold for $290,422 (£224,750), setting a new auction record for the artist at the auction.

Top 10 Auction Records of Modern and Contemporary African Art

Sotheby’s inaugural modern and contemporary African art auction was full of surprises. In addition to Yinka Shonibare, several other artists made auction records. They include António Ole, (Angola), Pascale Marthine Tayou (Cameroon), Ouattara Watts (Ivory Coast), Armand Bous (Ivory Coast), and Abiodun Olaku (Nigeria).

Below are the Top Lots at the Sotheby’s inaugural Modern and Contemporary African Art Auction held in London.

1.  Lot: 72. El Anatsui, Earth Developing More Roots, aluminum bottle caps and copper wire, 2011. Estimate: £650,000 – 850,000.  Sold for  $941,691  (£728,750). US Trade
2.  Lot:  13. Irma Stern, Sunflowers, oil on canvas, 1942. Estimate:  £350,000 – 550,000.  Sold for $538,524 (£416,750). African Private
3. Lot: 106. Yinka Shonibare, Crash Willy, mannequin, Dutch wax printed cotton textile, leather, fiberglass and metal, 2009. Estimate:  £120,000 – 180,000.   Sold for $290,422 (£224,750 ). Anonymous *Record for the Artist at Auction*
4. Lot:  99. William Kentridge, World On Its Hind Legs, CorTen rust finish steel, 2010.  Estimate:   £70,000 – 90,000.   Sold for $161,525 (£125,000). US Private
5. Lot: 10.  Ben Enwonwu, Negritude, gouache on paper, 1978. Estimate: £20,000 – 35,000. Sold for $93,684 (£72,500).  African Private
6. Lot: 60. Nicholas Hlobo, Untitled, mixed media, rubber inner tube, ribbon, on paper, 2006. Estimate:  £8,000 – 12,000.  Sold for $77,532 (£60,000). African Private
7. Lot: 105. Pascale Marthine Tayou, Cache-Sexe, mixed media, 2014. Estimate:   £30,000 – 40,000. Sold for   $67,840 (£52,500) African Private *Record for the Artist at Auction*
8. Lot:  2. Cherí Samba, Une vie nonratée (A Successful Life), acrylic on canvas, 1995. Estimate:   £20,000 – 30,000. Sold for     £52,500 ($67,840). European Private
9. Lot:  73. El Anatsui, Untitled, wooden sculpture, in 15 parts, 1986. Estimate:  £30,000 – 40,000. Sold for  $64,610 (£50,000). UK Private
10. Lot: 92. Irma Stern, Nuns of Sacré-Coeur, oil on composition board. Estimate:£40,000 – 60,000. Sold for $64,610 (£50,000 ). African Private.

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