There are expectations that Children on Cycles, an oil on board painting by Demas Nwoko will set an auction record at Bonhams new sale of Modern and Contemporary African Art in New York.

The Bicyclists, a recently discovered masterpiece by Demas Nwoko is a major highlight at Bonhams new sale of Modern and Contemporary African Art in New York

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE

NEW YORK, NY- The Bicyclists, a painting showing four children on three bicycles swerving ominously out of the path of an oncoming lorry by Nigerian artist Demas Nwoko, will highlight Bonhams new sale of Modern and Contemporary African Art in New York on May 2, 2019. The Bicyclists, which had not been seen since 1961 when it was first exhibited at the Mbari arts festival in Lagos, was recently found under a bed in Boston, Massachusetts. It has an estimated value of US$70,000-100,000.

This Demas Nwoko’s lost masterpiece was in the house belonging to the descendants of J. Donald Kingsley, the former head of the Ford Foundation in Africa. Kingsley was a collector of African art. He bought the painting while acting as an advisor to the civil service in Nigeria between 1958 and 1962. After his service in Africa, Kingsley brought The Bicyclists back with him to Boston. The painting soon disappeared from public view until someone found it.  Kingsley’s family found Demas Nwoko’s masterpiece while clearing out one of the rooms in the house.

Giles Peppiatt, Bonham’s Director of Modern African Art, described the painting as a masterpiece and an important work by the artist.  He noted:

“The Bicyclists is a signature work by Demas Nwoko and one that has been missing from the art historical canon for far too long. I am thrilled by this exciting discovery. It has come to market at a momentous moment for Bonhams, coinciding with our first Modern and Contemporary African Art sale in New York.”

About Demas Nwoko

Born in 1935 in eastern Nigeria, Demas Nwoko was one of the foremost Nigerian artists. However, beyond art, he was also a protean designer, architect, master builder, and author.  Demas Nwoko was one of the founding members of the Zaria Art Society, along with Uche and Simon Okeke, other important Nigerian artists. The Zaria Art Society laid the foundation for one of the most distinctive movements in modern African art. In opposition to Western artistic practice, members of the Zaria School instituted a new art tradition by merging methods of traditional African art with modern European ideals. The Bicyclists is an important example of that art tradition.  

The Court of the Oba of Benin by Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu M.B.E (Nigerian, 1917-1994)

Another major highlight of Bonhams new sale of Modern and Contemporary African Art in New York is The Court of the Oba of Benin by Ben Enwonwu, one of the foremost Nigerian artists. The painting shows a Benin king in the foreground holding a royal ceremonial sword.

Unlike the usual formal red coral-bead royal regalia of Benin kings and ivory bangles on each wrist, the Oba is wearing folds of white cloth and a white skullcap.  Around him are chiefs bearing ceremonial swords, also dressed in white cloth.  The group walks through a corridor of a building with red earthen walls on the way to a ceremony. It has an estimate of between US$ 120,000 – 180,000.

Malay Girl by Irma Stern, South African, 1894-1966,

Malay Girl by Irma Stern, one of South Africa’s foremost artists, will hopefully set an auction record during the New York art sale.  This is an important work by the artist as she continued her portrait painting traditions. It is the portrait of a Malay girl whose gaze and pose exude confidence. The style follows the artist’s early tradition, evident in her masterpiece Bahora Girl painted a year before Malay Girl. The estimate for Malay Girl is US$ 250,000-350,000. 

Bonhams sale of Modern and Contemporary African Art in New York will bring new attention to many African artists. What are your thoughts? Share you comments