NEW YORK, NY.- Phillips de Pury & Company’s AFRICA sale totaled $1,401,038 selling 74% by value and 62% by lot.
The auction showcased work by established and emerging artists, reflecting the spirit of the African continent and its global impact. This unique sale, the first auction of its kind to address the burgeoning market for contemporary art and photography of Africa and the African Diaspora, generated excitement and interest amongst international collectors culminating in great results.
Top prices for contemporary works include Chéri Samba’s J’aime la Couleur, which sold for $98,500 (estimate $60,000-80,000), a world auction record for the artist; William Kentridge’s Bicycle Kick, for $68,500 (Estimate $50,000-70,000); and Yinka Shonibare’s Man On Unicycle (Estimate $80,000-120,000) and Un Ballo In Maschera (I-X)( estimate $60,000-80,000), which sold for $108,100 and $80,500, respectively.
Impressive results for photographs include Renee Cox’s Yo Mama’s Last Supper (estimate $30,000-50,000) and Zwelethu Mthethwa’s Untitled from Sugar Cane Series (estimate $10,000-15,000), selling for $37,500 and $27,500, respectively, both auction records.
“These results confirm the market for African contemporary art is healthy; we expect a swift upswing in demand for work by these artists over next 2 to 4 years.” Corey Barr, New York head of Theme sales.
Top Ten Lots
• YINKA SHONIBARE, Man On Unicycle; $108,100
• CHÉRI SAMBA, J’aime la couleur; $98,500
• YINKA SHONIBARE, Un Ballo in Maschera (I-X); $80,500
• ZHONG BIAO, Football Miracle; $68,500
• WILLIAM KENTRIDGE, Bicycle Kick; $56,250
• JOHN GOBA, Hunter's Zone; $40,000
• RENEE COX, Yo Mama's Last Supper; $37,500
• WILLIAM KENTRIDGE, Learning the Flute (Encyclopedia); $37,500
• SATCH HOYT, Rimology; $31,250
• ZWELETHU MTHETHWA, Untitled from Sugar Cane Series; $27,500
Phillips de Pury & Company will continue its Theme auction program with FILM, taking place on June 24th in New York, and ITALIA, on June 30th in London. The Fall season will include LATIN AMERICA, MUSIC and the 80s in New York; and BLACK & WHITE, JAPAN, and NOW: Art of the 21st Century in London.
