CHICAGO, IL.- Hindman’s How Soon Is Now: Post War Art & Design auction was an outstanding success, exceeding the pre-sale estimate by more than $300,000 and selling 90% of the lots offered. The auction combined material from both the Fine Art and Modern Design departments, bringing together the top names in art and design from across the 20th century. Ultimately, the auction realized $738,531 with six lots breaking auction records and numerous others selling far beyond their presale expectations.

“This sale comprised a wonderful selection of art and design and we are very pleased with the results. We're proud of how we were able to blend works from highly sought-after artists with pieces by creators who are just beginning to get the recognition they deserve. We hope to continue this trend into the fall auction season with a number of important and exciting consignments,” said Joe Stanfield, Hindman’s Director of Fine Art.

Hindman has continued to drive stellar results for Chicago artists, setting six global auction records in this sale. Records were achieved for Thomas Kapsalis, Jordan Davies, John Himmelfarb, Keith Morrison, Albina Felski and William Conger. All six lots came from a corporate collection that brought together a superb selection of important Chicago artists as well as other highly desirable names. Among the top records were William Conger’s oil on canvas, Red Night, Chicago from 1982 that realized $15,000 against a presale estimate of $1,500-2,500 and Albina Felski’s oil on canvas, Parade, which was estimated at $2,000-4,000 and sold for $16,250.




The top three lots of the auction were consigned from the Hobe Sound, Florida estate of Rawleigh & Mary Ann Warner. Jules Olitski’s two acrylic on canvas works, Ariel Dreamed from 1990 and Hawk Channel, 1985, were each estimated at $10,000-15,000 and sold for $57,500 and $37,500, respectively, after enthusiastic bidding over the telephones and multiple online bidding platforms. Additionally, Harry Bertoia’s untitled bush form sculpture from the 1970s realized $45,000 against a presale estimate of $15,000-25,000. Among the artist’s most enduring forms, demand for iconic works like this, drove the price to triple its presale estimate.

Interest in works by renowned ceramicist Ruth Duckworth has continued to grow as well, with two expansive works by the artist exceeding expectations. Offered from the same corporate collection that highlighted the sale, these textural earth-toned wall reliefs were each estimate at $4,000-6,000 and realized $18,750 and $16,250.

The HOW SOON IS NOW: Post War Art and Design auction was held on July 28 in Hindman’s Chicago saleroom with all bidders participating remotely. The sale saw tremendous presale interest with bidders from across the globe split evenly between the telephones and those participating live across four online platforms.

Hindman is now welcoming consignments for fall and winter Fine Art and Modern Design auctions.