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World Art News

Latest News about Top Art, Antiques, and Collectibles from Around the World!

African Artists Show Strong Results at Auction: William Kentridge Smashes Estimate

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A recent auction at Bonhams in London showcased the dynamic and rising value of Modern and Contemporary African Art, concluding with total sales of ยฃ2,439,400 (approximately $2,976,068). The event featured prominent works, including William Kentridge’s Monument I, which soared past expectations, selling for ยฃ483,000 (about $589,260) against its estimate of ยฃ200,000โ€“ยฃ300,000. Kentridge’s evocative charcoal piece, rooted in his Drawings for Projection series, epitomizes his narrative-driven approach that intertwines historical introspection with striking visual artistry. Irma Stern’s Zululand and significant pieces by Ben Enwonwu and Marlene Dumas further emphasized the auction’s success, underscoring the burgeoning global recognition and deepening collector interest in African art’s profound heritage and contemporary vibrancy.

Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Unseen Truths Through a Friendโ€™s Eyes

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Kay first met Basquiat in late 1978, amid the vibrant, chaotic energy of Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Their bond was immediate, forged through shared passions for art, poetry, and the cityโ€™s electric atmosphere. โ€œIt was great fun,โ€ Kay recalls, emphasizing the serendipitous nature of their connection in a community where โ€œeveryone knew everyone.โ€ This deep friendship put Kay in a unique position to witness Basquiatโ€™s meteoric rise firsthand.

Islamic Sarghitmish Lamp Sets World Record as Most Expensive Glass Artifact, Selling for $6.5 Million at Bonhams

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In a landmark moment for art history, a 14th-century Sarghitmish mosque lamp from Egypt has shattered records, fetching an extraordinary ยฃ5,130,400 ($6.56 million) at Bonhamsโ€™ Islamic and Indian Art Sale in London on November 12, 2024. The sale attracted intense competition both in the room and via phone bidders, solidifying the lamp’s status as the most expensive glass object ever sold at auction. Initially estimated at ยฃ600,000-1,000,000 ($785,000-1,300,000), the lamp’s final price far exceeded expectations.

Pollock, Basquiat, Warhol, Twombly Headline Monumental Phillips Auction

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Phillips is set to command the art worldโ€™s attention with its upcoming November Evening Sale of Modern & Contemporary Art in New York. The highly anticipated event, scheduled for November 19 at their prestigious 432 Park Avenue location, will present 33 carefully curated works that bridge the gap between celebrated modern masters and contemporary visionaries. The sale is headlined by Jackson Pollockโ€™s Untitled, circa 1948, a landmark piece from his groundbreaking drip painting period, and features rare double self-portraits by both Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol, offered together for the first time at auction. Additional highlights include Cy Twomblyโ€™s mythologically charged Crimes of Passion I and a striking array of works by Pablo Picasso and Joan Mirรณ, making this event a must-see for collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide.

‘A Scout is Loyal’ and Worth $5 Million! Norman Rockwell’s Patriotic Masterpiece Set for Auction

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Norman Rockwellโ€™s ‘A Scout is Loyal’, a stirring portrayal of American patriotism, is poised to be the highlight of Bonhamsโ€™ American Art sale on November 20. Painted in 1940 during the artistโ€™s most significant period amidst World War II, this masterpiece embodies Rockwellโ€™s talent for capturing the national spirit. Featuring a Boy Scout surrounded by powerful American symbolsโ€”including the flag, a bald eagle, and historic figures such as Presidents Abraham Lincoln and George Washington holding the Bill of Rightsโ€”the painting is valued at $3 million to $5 million. It serves as a poignant reminder of unity and resilience during times of challenge.

The Silence of Iceland: A Study of Landscape and Spirit in Siarhei Yazlavetskiโ€™s Portrayal of the Country

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Siarhei Yazlavetskiโ€™s photographic series, Silence of Iceland, captures the essence of Iceland with a poetic and succinct vision. Yazlavetski offers a glimpse of a landscape that appears real and mythical, grounded yet steeped in memory. His images evoke the feeling of standing amidst the spume of the ocean, where moss clings to ancient rocks, and the thyme-scented air drifts across vast, quiet beaches. These photographs convey Icelandโ€™s solitude and strength, shaped by glaciers, volcanic rocks, and the constant presence of the ocean.

Behind the Lens: Exclusive Interview with New York Photographer Evelyn Freja | Part 2

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“I recently had a photoshoot of two famous actors in their hotel room, promoting a movie that recently came out. I was supposed to have 30 minutes with them, but they were incredibly rude to my photo assistant and me and ended up leaving after just 3 minutes. I had only managed to get a handful of photos and ended up crying in the hotel bathroom while my assistant helped pack up.” In Part 2 of our exclusive interview with New York photographer Evelyn Freja, we delve deeper into her journey, exploring the experiences and philosophies that shape her artistic vision. Evelyn opens up about the challenges of working in a highly competitive industry, her approach to capturing genuine moments, and the surprising lessons sheโ€™s learned along the way.

Anastasia Egonyanโ€™s Visual Dichotomies: Personal Figures, Impersonal Cities

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As a photographer, Egonyan is drawn to two visual extremes: depersonalized, human-free views of large capitalist metropolises, and nude figures frozen in poignant, semiotically rich poses. The interplay between these contrasting visual strategies within a single artistic context beautifully illustrates the originality and professionalism of her creative vision.

The Kingโ€™s Cadillac: Elvis Presleyโ€™s Last Car, 1977 Seville, to Be Sold in Sealed Auction

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A piece of rock and roll history is hitting the auction block as Elvis Presleyโ€™s 1977 Cadillac Seville, one of the last cars the King of Rock and Roll ever purchased, goes up for a rare sealed-bid auction with Bonhams|Cars. This customized Cadillac, featuring a powerful 5.7-liter V8 engine and fitted with a CB radio for private communication within Graceland, reflects Presleyโ€™s larger-than-life persona and unique style. Authenticated by Graceland and still bearing his name on the title, the car offers collectors a chance to own a personal artifact from Elvisโ€™s final years. Bidding opens on November 4, inviting fans and collectors alike to pursue this exceptional piece of cultural history.

Rare $1 Million Japanese Whisky Collection to Hit the Auction Block in Paris

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One of the world’s most exclusive Japanese whisky collections, the Hanyu Ichiro Malt Full โ€œCardโ€ Series, is set to be auctioned in Paris this November. Expected to fetch between $750,000 and $1.28 million, the collection features 54 bottles, each representing a playing card and signed by master distiller Ichiro Akuto. Known for setting record-breaking prices, Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr will host this online auction from November 12 to 29, offering collectors a rare opportunity to acquire a complete set of this historic Japanese whisky.