BONHAMS TAKES FIRST COMMERCIAL AUCTION OF AFRICAN CONTEMPORARY ART TO THE USA
`Africa Now' Auction Is The First Commercial Auction Of African Contemporary Art Ever Held In The US
The `Africa Now’ sale at Bonhams in New York on 10th March, is a timely reminder of that old Roman expression – `Always something new out of Africa’, with a range of exciting new talents on view in New York
The Africa Now auction is the first commercial auction of African contemporary art ever to be held in the US, and features work by both new and established artists. The sale features some of Africa’s most exiting artists, whose work has been sold by Bonhams in London, making world record prices for a number of them. There are 137 works by 78 artists from 14 countries as diverse as South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Benin. Prices range from $5,000 to $120.000
Highlights of the sale include ‘Africa Dances, Eve Noir’,1972, by Ben Enwonwu, a watercolour and pastel on board estimated to sell for $60,000-90,000. The picture was acquired directly from the artist circa 1970s and gifted to the present owner. Enwonwu was a pioneer of the modern art movement in Western Africa.
“African art has always, even long before western influence, continued to evolve through change and adaptation to new circumstances. And in like manner, the African view of art has followed the trend of cultural change up to the modern times.” (Ben Enwonwu, 1950)
Another highlight is a piece by the internationally renowned Malian photographer, Malick Sidibé, to be sold on behalf of the charity ‘Keep a Child Alive’. Founded by Alicia Keys, the singer, songwriter, actress, author and philanthropist with a keen interest in Africa, Keep a Child Alive rely on donations to provide life-saving medical treatment to children and families affected by HIV/AIDS. The proceeds from this lot will pay for anti-retroviral treatment, care and support services at Keep a Child Alive treatment centers across Africa.
The event is being filmed by The Africa Channel, a global media network inspired by Africa, providing high quality landmark programming. The Africa Channel is currently producing a major six part series on African art, which will be shown on the channel in 2011.
Alicia Keys, the singer, songwriter, actress, author and philanthropist with a keen interest in Africa, has agreed that her charity ‘Keep a Child Alive’ will partner Bonhams VIP reception for the groundbreaking `Africa Now’ exhibition in New York.
The event is being sponsored by Afren plc, the African focused independent oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in Nigeria, Gabon, Congo Brazzaville, Cote d`Ivoire, Ghana and the Joint Development Zone of Nigeria – Sao Tome & Principe.
The VIP reception is a “must attend” event for musical luminaries, art world opinion formers and anyone attracted by the prospect of securing works in this burgeoning market that has attracted the interest of Alicia Keys, Iman and Bono amongst others.
Giles Peppiatt, Director of African Art at Bonhams says: “We are greatly honoured that ‘Keep a Child Alive’ has agreed to partner at this event. Their credentials as a leading ambassador for African issues made them a natural choice to introduce this stunning collection of the best of contemporary African Art.”
In 2003, Leigh Blake and Alicia Keys founded ‘Keep a Child Alive’ (KCA), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing life-saving anti-retroviral treatment and surrounding care to children and families with HIV/AIDS in Africa and India.
For more information on this sale please go to the website www.bonhams.com/africanow
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further seven throughout the UK. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Boston in the USA; and Switzerland, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Dubai. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 50 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com.
