A collection of contemporary paintings, selected as exhibitors in the John Moores Prize, is being offered as part of Vision 21: A Sale of Post-War Paintings, Prints, Photographs, Sculpture and Modern Design Furniture at Bonhams, Knightsbridge on Wednesday 17th March.
The biennial John Moores Prize, based in Liverpool, has a track record for spotting rising talent. It counts David Hockney, Peter Doig and Richard Hamilton as past winners, and a judging panel which has boasted the likes of Tracey Emin and Sir Peter Blake. Established by the founder of Littlewoods, John Moores, in 1957, it was intended as a showcase of the “best and most vital work being done today throughout the country”, and was launched in Liverpool to balance London’s increasing dominance of the arts.
Works by some of Britain’s most exciting contemporary artists, who are represented by leading London art galleries, including Maureen Paley, Alan Cristea and the Lisson Gallery, are being offered. Kate Donachie’s Tent (estimate £600 - £800), Martin McGinn’s Chandelier II (estimate £800 - £1,200) and Alex Landrum’s Perfect Accident No 5 (estimate £800 - £1,200) are among the sale’s most outstanding lots, alongside works by Roger Kelly, Alan Brooks, Sybille Berger and Sue Arrowsmith.
A set of six works by the British artist, Chantal Joffe, who has featured in Tate Liverpool’s New Contemporaries exhibition, and is represented by Victoria Miro, is also being sold by Bonhams one week earlier, as part of its sale of Post War and Contemporary Art and Design at New Bond Street on Wednesday 10th March.