El Anatsui’s Used Towel 1999, shows the growth of Africa in the global art market by setting new auction prices at Bonhams African artists art auction.  Carved, incised, and painted wood in 25 pieces. 81 x 250cm. Image: Bonhams Auctions

ART AUCTION: Ben Enwonwu Leads African artists to set new world auction records at Africa Now, Bonhams African artists art auction.

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE

Ben Enwonwu, Spirit of Ogolo makes auction record price at Bonhams Africa Now–Modern Africa sale. Sold during Africa Now, Bonhams African artists art auction Image: Bonhams Auctions

LONDON- The demand for contemporary African art and artworks by some of Africa’s leading modern artists continues to grow. From auction to auction, collectors are striving to add works by African artists to their collections.  At the recent Bonhams Africa Now–Modern Africa sale in London, Africa’s leading modern artists set new world records. Ben Enwonwu’s works alone achieved a staggering £836,875 in the action that realized a total of £2,000,000.

ART AUCTION | READ ALSO: Bonhams First Contemporary African Art Sale Generates Excitement

Topping the auction is Spirit of Ogolo by Ben Enwonwu. The oil on canvas painting, measuring 140 x 195. 5 cm,  was painted in 1988. It depicts two dancing masquerades done in the elongated style the artist was renowned for. The iconic images of the masquerades represent Ben Enwonwu’s lifelong work. Throughout his artistic career, the artist displayed an intense fascination for masquerades, painting many canvases and sculptures on this theme. The Spirit of Ogolo is one of those canvases. Using lines and colors, the Enwonwu captures the agile movement, vigorous dance steps, and supernatural energy of the Ogolo performers. The painting sold for  £218,500 against an estimate of £100,000-150,000, becoming the highest ever price for an oil painting by the Nigerian artist.

Bonhams African Artists Art Auction

Spirit of Ogolo is just one of the artworks by Ben Enwonwu that captivated collectors at Africa Now–Modern Africa auction. Negritude 1979, gouache on paper laid on board, sold for £86,500. Estimated at  £20,000-30,000, the artwork surpassed all expectations, setting a world record for a work on paper by the artist. African Woman 1982, an oil on canvas, sold for £170,500, surpassing the pre-auction estimate of £30,000-50,000.

Used Towel by El Anatsui was one of the top sellers at the Africa Now–Modern Africa auction. Estimated at £50,000-80,000, the carved, incised and painted wood measuring 81 x 250cm sold for £176,500. Besides surpassing the pre-auction estimate, it also established a new record at auction for a wooden sculpture by the Ghanaian sculptor. It also beat the previous record set at Bonhams in 2015.

Yusuf Adebayo Cameron Grillo (Nigerian, born 1934), Mother of Twins 1970. Oil on board 117 x 60cm.  Sold during Africa Now, Bonhams African artists art auction. Image: Bonhams Auctions

Yusuf Grillo’s Mother of Twins 1970, is one of the top sellers at the auction. Estimated at  £35,000 – 50,000, the oil on board by the Nigerian artist sold for  £146,500, surpassing its pre-auction estimate. It also set a new world record at auction for a work by the painter.

The exceptional result of the African New–Modern Africa auction according to Bonhams Director of African Art Giles Peppiatt, shows great interest in African Modern art. He said: “The outstanding success of this sale – in all ten new world records were set – shows that the appetite among collectors for the very best of African Modern art is extremely strong. The bidding was intense throughout the sale with fierce competition for the leading lots. The strength in depth among African Modern and Contemporary artists promises much for the future.”

Here are the top ten artworks sold at the Bonhams Africa Now –Modern Africa auction:

1. Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu M.B.E (Nigerian, 1917-1994), Spirit of Ogolo 1988.   Oil on canvas 140x 195 .5cm(55 1/8 x 76 15/16in). Sold for £218,500 (US$ 321,036) inc. premium.

2. El Anatsui (Ghanaian, born 1944) Used towel 1999.  Carved, incised and painted wood in 25 pieces. 81 x 250cm (31 7/8 x 98 7/16in).. Sold for £176,500 (US$ 259,326) inc. premium

3. Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu, African Woman1982. Oil on canvas 121 x 41cm (47 5/8 x 16 1/8in). Sold for £170,500 (US$ 250,511) inc. premium.

4. Yusuf Adebayo Cameron Grillo (Nigerian, born 1934), Mother of Twins1970. Oil on board 117x 60cm (46 1/16 x 23 5/8in). Sold for £146,500 (US$ 215,248) inc. premium.

5. Yusuf Adebayo Cameron Grillo, Drummers and Dancers1964. Oil on board 74.5 x 99cm (29 5/16 x 39in). Sold for £110,500 (US$ 164,303) inc. premium

6. Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu, Ogolo1900. Oil on canvas 73 x 53cm (28 3/4 x 20 7/8in). Sold for £110,500 (US$ 164,303) inc. premium

7. Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu M.B.E (Nigerian, 1917-1994), Negritude 1979. Gouache on paper laid to board 76 x 52.5cm (29 15/16 x 20 11/16in). Sold for £86,500 (US$ 128,617) inc. premium

8. El Anatsui, Untitled2005. Incised and scorched wood 61 x 152cm (24 x 59 13/16in). Sold for £80,500 (US$ 119,696) inc. premium

9. Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu, Anyanwu (1975). Bronze 93cm high (excluding base). Sold for £76,900 (US$ 114,343) inc. premium.

10. El Anatsui, Jesus Wept 1972. Carved wood 70 x 21cm (27 9/16 x 8 1/4in). Sold for £50,000 (US$ 74,345) inc. premium

What do you think about the success of Africa Now, Bonhams African artists art auction? Join the conversation: Share your thoughts and comments. Facebook– Twitter–Instagram