efore we get into presenting the sale of the Estate of Ann Lewis, AO, David wants to recommend THE book for all those who enjoyed the ABC’s ‘Fake or Fortune’: ‘The Art Detective’ by Philip Mould, published in 2010 by Penguin.
He has just finished the 250 or so pages in less than three days (which is a record for him), and ever since, he has not been able to contain his excitement at Mould’s gripping stories of discovery and delight.
The Estate of Ann Lewis, AO
This is in our view the standout highlight estate sale of the year. Melbourne’s Mossgreen Auctions are hosting this prestigious art auction. The company specialises in top end estate sales, marketing them with beautiful catalogues and enticing us to view paintings, furniture and jewellery in equally beautiful surroundings prior to sale, in this case a magnificent home in Rose Bay, Sydney.
Ann Lewis was an outstanding force in the art market, with the founding of Gallery A in 1964 in Sydney and her tireless support of the arts and generous philanthropy.
This background alone will ensure significant interest from contemporary art collectors and dealers alike from Australia and New Zealand.
The auction is to be held at the Art Gallery of NSW on 7 Nov., a major coup for both the auctioneer and the estate. It’s bound to bring many buyers who have perhaps never set foot in an auction room before.
Lot 179, Shaun Gladwell
With 592 lots on offer, they will also need serious stamina, although managing director Paul Sumner promises to be swift in his auctioneering … for today, David has managed to stick with his favourite 20.
Lot 5 – Sofia Tekela-Smith, Cross my Heart, 2008, $1,000-1,500 – New Zealand beauty
Lot 49 – Guy Edward Grey Smith, Ann Lewis, 1978, $10,000-15,000 – A fine tribute
Lot 52 – Tom Moore, 3 Car Pile Up, $800-1,200 – What driving in New South Wales is like…
Lot 62 – Sally Gabori, Dibirdibi country, 2009, $4,000-6,000 – Do you dream in colour?
Lot 71 – Clement Meadmore, Flippant Flurry, 1977, $8,000-12,000 – Flipping fabulous
Lot 73 – Noel McKenna, Captured Bird, 1996, $300- $500 – McKenna at his minimalist best
Lot 83 – Robert Klippel, Metal sculpture No. 182, 1965, $12,000-18,000 – Klippel at his complex best
Lot 84 – Peter Booth, Untitled, 2000, $10,000-15,000 – Not much going on here …. or is there?
Lot 85 – Fred Williams, Hillside I, 1965, $1,000,000-1,500,000 – A Williams Epic Picture
Lot 86 – Fred Williams, Landscape, $2,000-3,000 – A Williams for the ‘less of cash’
Lot 125 – Ralph Balson, Non-Objective Painting , 1964, $15,000-$20,000 – A true pioneer and still undervalued
Lot 136 – Ken Whisson, Bird and Beast, $15,000-20,000 – Not normally a fan … but rather like this one
Lot 179 – Shaun Gladwell, Approach to Mundi Mundi, Silverton Road, 2007, $1,000-1,500 – A small photo, but well worth fighting for
Lot 180 – Noel McKenna, Surfer, 1998, $3,000-5,000 – McKenna has finally flipped
Lot 212 – Ricky Swallow, Flying on the ground is wrong, 2005-06, $1,000-2,000 – Swallow wins our heart again
Lot 216 – Marc Newson , Miniature Lockheed lounge chair, Vitra, 2004, $200-400 – Do not sit
Lot 226 – Alexander Seton, Vinyl Fizz, 2009, $300-500 – The Illusionist
Lot 329 – Rick Amor, The Bridge, $300-500 – Dark, darker, darkest
Lot 517 – Marina Abramovic & Ulay (Uwe Laysiepen), Night Sea Crossing, 1981, $200-300 – The genius of performance art
Lot 521 – Fiona Hall, Cross purpose, 2003, $1,500-2,500 – Don’t bank on it
Here is the link so you can view online https://www.mossgreen.com.au/auctions/current.asp?idExhibition=1208906&offset=0 .
Viewing is from 4 to 7 November at 8 Bay View Hill Road, Rose Bay, Sydney, and the auction is on 7 November, from 6 pm, at the Art Gallery of NSW.
As usual, we will be attending this important auction through to the end. If you would like us to act as your buyer’s agent and would like a pre-purchase report or advice on one or more lots in this sale, contact David for his advice – by email or phone 02 9977 7764.