El Anatsui (Ghanaian, born 1944), Crowd Awaiting in 10 pieces, carved wood relief with acrylic 76.5 x 100.5cm (30 1/8 x 39 9/16in).  Estimate:  £15,000 – 20,000. Price Realized: £62,500 / US$ 98,406 inc. premium. Image courtesy of Bonhams

ART AUCTION NEWS: High auction prices at Bonhams Modern Africa Auction reveal an upward trend in the demand for African Art and the progress made by African artists in the global art market space

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE

Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu M.B.E (Nigerian, 1917-1994) Anyanwu Simplified 137 x 22 x 18cm (53 15/16 x 8 11/16 x 7 1/16in) excluding base. Estimate: £60,000 – 90,000. Price Realized: £74,500/ US$ 117,300 inc. premium. Image courtesy of Bonhams

LONDON- Works by a small group of trailblazing artists whose lives bridged the gap between Africa and Europe were recently on sale at the Bonhams Africa Now-Modern Africa Auction.  Artists whose works were presented at the auction included Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu, El Anatsui, Twins Seven-Seven, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Yusuf Adebayo Cameron Grillo, Uzo Egonu, Barthélémy Toguo, and several others.

Modern Africa Auction: Progress By African Artists

Following on the heels of the great advancements made by African artists in the global art market, there were high hopes that many of the carefully selected works would achieve record auction prices. About 100 works were put on sale during the Modern African Auction, and 61 were sold.  In total, the auction realized £851, 813.

Topping the Modern Africa art sale was Anyanwu Simplified, a sculpture by Ben Enwonwu.  The sculpture measures 137 x 22 x 18cm (53 15/16 x 8 11/16 x 7 1/16in) excluding the base. The sculpture is a variation of the bronze sculpture that the artist produced for the National Museum of Lagos in 1958.  It went for £74,500 (US$ 117,300) inc. premium.

African Dancers, also by Ben Enwonwu, got great attention when it was presented at the Modern Africa auction. The oil on canvas painting, measuring 105 x 114cm (41 5/16 x 44 7/8in), sold for £68,500 (US $107,000) including premium. The painting features dancers showing intricate steps.

Although works by Ben Enwonwu topped the Modern African Auction, they were not the only ones that got the necessary attention. Works by El Anatsui, a famous Ghanaian artist also did well. His piece titled Two Hands and Two Feet sold for £62,500 (US$98,406) inc. premium.  The relief sculpture employs colors and symbols traditionally used for Asante Adinkra cloth.

Bata Drummers by Yusuf Adebayo Cameron Grillo, one of Africa’s celebrated artists, sold for £56,250 (US$ 88,565) inc. premium at the Modern Africa Auction. The oil on canvas painting measuring 123 x 92cm (48 7/16 x 36 1/4in),  pays homage to the Yoruba bata ensemble that is traditionally associated with Sango, the thunder deity.

 Top Lots at Africa Now – Modern Africa Auction in London

Yusuf Adebayo Cameron Grillo (Nigerian, born 1934), Bata Drummers, oil on board 123 x 92cm (48 7/16 x 36 1/4in). Estimate: £50,000 – 80,000. Price Realized: £56,250/US$ 88,565 inc. premium. Image courtesy of Bonhams

1. Lot 19. Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu M.B.E (Nigerian, 1917-1994) Anyanwu Simplified 137 x 22 x 18cm (53 15/16 x 8 11/16 x 7 1/16in) excluding base. Estimate: £60,000 – 90,000. Price Realized: £74,500/ US$ 117,300 inc. premium

3. Lot 41. Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu M.B.E (Nigerian, 1917-1994) Africa Dances, oil on canvas, 105x 114cm (41 5/16 x 44 7/8in). Estimate: £60,000 – 90,000 . Price Realized: £68,500/ US$ 107,853 inc. premium

4. Lot 64. El Anatsui (Ghanaian, born 1944), Two Hands and Two Feet in16 pieces, carved wood relief with acrylic 65x 168.5cm(25 9/16 x 66 5/16 in). Estimate: £20,000 – 30,000. Price Realized: £62,500/US$ 98,406 inc. premium

5. Lot 65. El Anatsui (Ghanaian, born 1944), Crowd Awaiting in 10 pieces, carved wood relief with acrylic 76.5x 100.5cm(30 1/8 x 39 9/16in).  Estimate:  £15,000 – 20,000. Price Realized: £62,500 / US$ 98,406 inc. premium

5. Lot 20 . Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu M.B.E (Nigerian, 1917-1994), Anyanwu, 79 x 21 x 22cm (31 1/8 x 8 1/4 x 8 11/16in) excluding base. Estimate: £45,000 – 55,000. Price Realized: £56,250/US$ 88,565 inc. premium

6. Lot 28. Yusuf Adebayo Cameron Grillo (Nigerian, born 1934), Bata Drummers, oil on board 123x 92cm(48 7/16 x 36 1/4in). Estimate: £50,000 – 80,000. Price Realized:  £56,250/US$ 88,565 inc.  premium

7. Lot 27. Yusuf Adebayo Cameron Grillo (Nigerian, born 1934) The Pink Dress, oil on board 91.5x 61cm(36 x 24in). Estimate: £30,000 – 50,000. Price Realized: £50,000/ US$ 78,725 inc. premium

8. Lot 29. Yusuf Adebayo Cameron Grillo (Nigerian, born 1934), Igi-nla (Big Tree), oil on board 121.5x 122cm(47 13/16 x 48 1/16in).  Estimate:  £20,000 – 30,000. Price Realized: £35,000/ US$ 55,107 inc. premium

9. Lot 42. Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu M.B.E (Nigerian, 1917-1994), Female Dancer with Fly-Whisks, oil on canvas 72.5x 50cm(28 9/16 x 19 11/16in). Estimate: £25,000 – 35,000. Price Realized: £27,500 / US$ 43,298 inc. premium

10. Lot 30. Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu M.B.E (Nigerian, 1917-1994), Jungle Path, oil on canvas 132x 70cm(51 15/16 x 27 9/16in).  Estimate: £15,000 – 20,000. Price Realized: £21,250/ US$ 33,458 inc. premium

An upward trend in the demand for African Art is a sign of progress. What do you think? Join the art conversation: Share your thoughts and comments. FOLLOW US ON: Facebook– Twitter–Instagram