This Month
Big name Indigenous artists bring the love to Redfern
A high-end auction brings Indigenous art to the people, while Menzies hopes Kirk Douglas can be their hero.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
'Transfiguration'
Transfiguration, 2011, was created by Universal Everything and Realise Studio for the reopening of the digital arts gallery La Gaite Lyrique, Paris.
- Updated
‘Maison Autonome’ by Universal Everything
"It’s all about the figure in motion," says UE interactive creative director Joel Gethin Lewis.
- Updated
Selling a painting like it’s a mansion a plus for elite bidders
Del Kathryn Barton’s anatomy-bending work will be the tenth to be offered at private auction by Smith & Singer, a concept that borrows from high-end property sales.
The story of artist Christo’s $6m wrapped VW Beetle
Christo’s wrapped buildings are ephemeral and impossible to buy, so a 1961 VW Beetle wrapped in wax tarp presents as a rare opportunity.
- James Tarmy
May
One art mystery solved, a more costly one remains
The case of the missing corner might have been solved, but why were buyers so reluctant to spend?
- Elizabeth Fortescue
Are these contemporary artists the future of the market?
This annual auction of contemporary art presents living artists at relatively affordable prices, but this year bargain hunters proved harder to find.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
A little bird delivers record price for photographer
A bird in the hand might be worth two in the bush, but Petrina Hicks’ photo of a budgie in a girl’s mouth was worth plenty on an otherwise disappointing night.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
Brack bolts, Whiteley sinks on a tough night for art sales
A John Brack with a fabulous backstory was a rare highlight at Bonhams, as Leonard Joel wheels out the big contemporary names for its Centum sale.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
Australia’s best art auction result in 17 years
Bullish bidders dropped $17 million on Impressionists, Whiteleys and others at the strongest result for a mixed vendor sale since the heady pre-GFC days of 2007.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
April
Streeton stuns at $10m art auction
Arthur Streeton’s historic scene took top honours, but works by Bronwyn Oliver and Nicholas Harding were the big surprises.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
Family art collection left behind as PwC partner leaves Australia
The Caddy collection contains many lovely examples of paintings and works on paper by distinguished Australian artists at tempting estimates.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
Ad man Peter Clemenger sets Whiteley’s Wren free - for $2m plus
Brett Whiteley’s The Wren is the top lot at Deutscher and Hackett’s first big sale of the year, which has a total estimate of $10 million to $14 million.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
Can Phar Lap keep up with The Don’s $230k number plate
A number plate and a painting related to the 1930s sporting icons suggest there’s value in sporting love affairs.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
Streeton, Campbell works promise hefty returns in $12m art sale
An Arthur Streeton painting bought for £7 has hopes of $1.5 million at the year’s first big sale.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
March
Is Don Bradman’s number plate really worth $200k?
NSW is selling more historic licence plates but the Don’s isn’t the most expensive one on offer.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
These ‘bad boy’ art works are not for the faint-hearted
Pieces from Sydney enfants terribles, Brett Whiteley and Adam Cullen, will be auctioned in Melbourne at the end of March.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
From a Darwin backroom to centre stage in Melbourne
Northern Territory’s Anglican Diocese could be $120,000 richer when it sells a painting given to it almost 30 years ago by artist Ginger Riley Munduwalawala.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
Menzies Indigenous collection goes for knockdown prices
Paintings from Rodney Menzies’ estate sold at big discounts to previous prices as buyers prove hard to please in early season art sales.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
February
The eyes have it: Little Prince makes big splash
Deborah Halpern’s boldly coloured bust smashed through its estimate as early season auctions get underway.
- Elizabeth Fortescue
