Phillips de Pury
450 Park Avenue
September 23, 2011
Sale 411
Lot 50,
"Untitled, Bucket," by Robin Rhode, 10 color photographs face mounted
with Plexiglass on aluminum panels, 12 3/4 by 18 3/4 inches each, from
an edition of 5 plus one artist's proof, 2005
By Carter B. Horsley
This auction of Contemporary
Art September 23, 2011 at Phillips de Pury in New York includes
excellent work by such artists as Robin Rhode, Bert de Beul, Stefan
Kurten, Kendall Geers and Johannes Wohnseifer as well as fine examples
by such established artists as Vik Muniz, Subodh Gupta, and Mike Kelley.
The sumptuous auction
catalogue, furthermore, contains major essays and interviews with
Marina Abramovic, Ahmed Alsoudani, Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, Phoebe
Unwin and Lawrence Weiner.
Stefan Kurten, Bert de
Beul, Subodh Gupta, Mike Kelley, Vik Muniz, Tom Sachs, Johannes
Wohnseifer, Kendall Geers, Robin Rhode, Kehinde Wiley,
Lot
369, "Untitled," by Arman, found bronze sculpture with metal blades, 34
inches high, 1997
Lot
369 is an untitled work by Arman (1928-2005). It is 34 inches
high and the artist took a found sculpture of a naked woman and divided
it into sections separated circular metal blades. It is a
unique work and has a modest estimate of $20,000 to $30,000. It sold for
$32,500.
Lot
221 and 222, untitled oils on canvas by Bert de Beul, 37 3/4 by 31 1/2
and 29 1/4 by 24 1/2 inches, respectively. The former was
executed in 2003 and the latter in 2002.
Lot 221 and 222
are superb, Sheeleresque, untitled oils on canvas by Bert de Beul (b.
1961). They measure 37 3/4 by
31 1/2 and 29 1/4 by 24 1/2 inches, respectively. The former
was
executed in 2003 and has an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000 and the latter
was executed in 2002 and has an estimate of $3,000 to $5,000. The former sold for $2,500 and
the latter for $3,500.
Lot 298,
Untitled, by Will Fowler, acrylic and collage on canvas, 36 by 36 1/2
inches, 2007
One of the most striking
works in the auction is Lot 298, an untitled acrylic and collage by
Will Fowler (b.1969). It measures 36 by 36 1/2 inches and was
executed in 2007. It has a modest estimate of $5,000 to
$7,000. It
sold for $6,250 and it gives Mondrian's "Broadway
Boogie-Woogie" a run for the money.
Lot 299,
"Shoes Take a Backseat" by Sue Williams, oil and acrylic on canvas, 96
1/8 by 104 1/2 inches, 1998
On
adjacent walls at the exhibition and on adjoining pages in the
catalogue, Lot 298 slightly overpowers the larger Lot 299, "Shoes Take
a Backseat (Green, Orange and Blue)," by Sue Williams (b. 1954).
Lot 299 measures 96 1.8 by 104 1.2 inches and was executed in
1998 in a calligraphic style a bit similar to the late abstract
paintings of Willem de Kooning. It has an estimate of $35,000
to $45,000. It
sold for $40,000.
Lot 240,
"Death and Life, after Gustav Klimt (Pictures of Pigment)," chromgenic
print, by Vik Muniz, 72 by 90 inches, 2006
Lot
240 is a striking chromogenic print by Vik Muniz entitled "Death and
Life, after Gustav Klimt (Pictures of Pigment)." It measures
72 by 90
inches and was created in 2006. It has an estimate of $50,000
to
$70,000. It
sold for $98,500.
Lot 341,
"Jackie (Pictures of Diamonds)," by Vik Muniz, C print, from an edition
of 10 plus four artist's proofs, 40 by 30 inches, 2005
Lot
341 is a 40-by-30-inch C print by Vik Muniz (b. 1961) entitled "Jackie
(Pictures of Diamonds)." It is from an edition of 10 plus
four artist's proofs in 2005. It has an estimate of $100,000
to $150,000. It
sold for $158,500.
The catalogue provides the following commentary:
"Vik Muniz's Diamond Divas was initially a series oncvied to
present five of hollywood's most glamourous screen legends: Bette
Davis, Elizabeth Taylor, Marlene Dietrich, Princess Grace Kelly and
Marilyn Monroe. The series was commissioned by a collector
fof Muniz's work, who was active in the diamond trade and supplied the
artist with a collection of diamonds with which to work. The
resulting 2004 body of work achieved such unprecedented success that
the Brazilian aritst created "Pictures of Dioamonds, in 2005, which
went on to include Ava Garner, Sophia Loren, Rita Hayworth, Louise
Brooks, Catherine Deneuve, and finally, as seen in the present lot,
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. He fashions each portrait from
more than 3,000 loose diamonds."
.
Lot 342,
"Marilyn Glamour (B + W)," by Russell Young, acrylic and diamond dust
on linen, 36 3/4 by 28 1/3 inches, 2010
Another
glamour shot with diamonds is Lot 342, "Marilyn Glamour (B + W)," by
Russell Young (b. 1960). The acrylic and diamond dust on
linen measures 36 3/4 by 28 1/3 inches and was executed in 2010.
It has an estimate of $18,000 to $22,000. It sold for $22,500.
Lot 61,
"Beyonce Painting (RAL 8003 - Lehmbraun)," powder-coated print on PVC
and perforated aluminum frame, 78 3/4 by 55 1/8 by 1 1/2 inches, 2007
Lot
61 is a striking portrait of another female cultural icon, "Beyonce
Painting (RAL 8003 - Lehmbraun)," a powder-coated print
on PVC and perforated aluminum frame. It measures 78 3/4 by
55 1/8 by 1 1/2 inches and was created in
2007. It has an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000. It failed to sell.
Lot 343,
"Brigitte Bardot vs. Eve, Creation of Eve," color coupler print, 108 by
72 inches, by Alex Guofeng Cao, 2009
The most
glamorous sex goddess in the auction is Lot 343, "Brigitte Bardot vs.
Eve, Creation of Eve," by Alex Guofeng Cao (b. 1969). A color
coupler print, it measures 108 by72 inches and was created in 2009.
It has an estimate of $8,000 to $12,000. It sold for $23,750.
Lot 49, "St.
Sebastian II (Columbus)," by Kehinde Wiley, oil and enamel on canvas,
110 by 86 inches, 2006
Lot 49 is a
large work by Kehinde Wiley (b. 1977) entitled "St. Sebastian II
(Columbus)." An oil and enamel on canvas, it measures 110 by
86 inches and was painted in 2006. It has an estimate of
$80,000 to $120,000. It
sold for $132,500. The catalogue entry notes
that "instead of depicting the body pierced with arrows and weakened
pain as it is traditionally shown in portraits of Saint Sebastian, we
see the body alternatively penetrated by ink in
tattoos.....Wiley...illustrates the athletic prowess of the
contemporary African American man."
Lot 80, "Test
Room Containing Multiple Stimuli Known to Elicit Curiosity
and Manipulatory Responses," by Mike Kelley, Chromogenic print, 23 by
49 3/4 inches, 2001, from an edition of three
Lot 80, "Test
Room Containing Multiple Stimuli Known to Elicit
Curiosity and Manipulatory Responses," is an intriguing print by Mike
Kelley (b. 1954). It measures 23 by 49 3/4 inches
and is from a 2001 edition of 3. It has an estimate of
$10,000 to $15,000. It
sold for $8,750.
Lot 192,
"Intranquility (N 19)," by Tatiana Trouve, pencil on paper with copper
and adhesive tape, 30 1/2 by 45 inches, 2007
Lot 192 is an
intriguing work by Tatiana Trouve (b. 1968) entitled "Intranquility
(N19)." A pencil on paper with copper and adhesive tape, it
measuires 30 1/2 by 45 inches and was created in 2007. It has
an estimate of $15,000 to $20,000. It sold for $27,500.
Lot
99, "Kane and Lombard Tennis" by Eva Struble, acrylic and oil on
canvas, 74 by 102 inches, 2006
Lot 99 is a
quite beautiful work by Eva Struble (b.1981) entitled "Kane and Lombard
Tennis." An acrylic and oil on canvas, it measures 74 by 102
inches and was painted in 2006. It has an estimate of $12,000
to $18,000. It
failed to sell.
Lot 181,
"Lost and Sick," by Tony Matelli, epoxy resin, plaster and
paint 79 by 100 by 87 inches, 1996
Lot 181 is a
100-inch high sculpture of epoxy resin, plaster and paint by Tony
Matelli (b. 1971) entitled "Lost and Sick." It was created in
1996 and has an estimate of $30,000 to $40,000. It sold for $36,250.
Lot 235, "No
Expectations," by Stefan Kurten, oil on canvas, 57 by 74 3/4 inches,
2004, left; Lot 274, "Widmung," by Martin Assig, encaustic on wood, 81
by 43 3/4 inches, 2006, right
Lot 235 is a
fine oil on canvas by Stefan Kurten (b. 1963) that is entitled "No
Expectations." It measures 57 by 74 3/4 inches and was
painted in 2004. It has an estimate of $10,000 to $15,000. It sold for $8,750.
Lot 274 is an encaustic on wood by Martin Assig (b. 1969) that is
entitled "Widmung." It measures 81 by 43 3/4 inches and was
created in 2006. It has an estimate of $5,000 to $7,000. It sold for $2,000.
Lot 71,
"Miffy" by Tom Sachs, bondo,acrylic and ink on bronze 9 1/2 inches
high, 2002, 25 of an edition of 25
The cutest work
in the auction is Lot 71, "Miffy," by Tom Sachs (b. 1966).
The bondo, acrylic and ink on bronze rabbit is 9 1/2 inches
high and was 25 of an 2002 edition of 25. It has an estimate
of $20,000 to $25,000. It
sold for $25,000.
Lot
51, "T.O.T.I. (115)," by Kendall Geers, found object wrapped in chevron
tape with pedestal, 16 1/2 inches high,2005
We tend to forget that many
statues and buildings in Classical Rome were colorfully painted.
Lot 51, "T.O.T.I. (115)," is a modern take on that reflection
as it is a African-style statue of a man wrapped in white and red
chevron tape by Kendall Geers (b. 1968). It is 16 1/2 inches
high and was created with a "found object" in 2005. It has an
estimate of $7,000 to $9,000. It
sold for $9,375.
Lot 97, "Sans
Titre #2, Ballot rond (gros)," by Subodh Gupta, aluminum, 26 by 28 by
23 inches, 2006
Lot
97 is an aluminum sculpture by Subodh Gupta (b. 1964) that was created
in 2006. It has an estimate of $70,000 to $90,000. It sold for $74,500.
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