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Art News: New York Review
by:
Amy Gale
New York City: It was standing room only at the first African-American fine art auction at Swann Galleries on 6 February. The market has been around for many years, but the auction houses have been slow to get involved, said Swann specialist Nigel Freeman. The event attracted collectors from all over the country. Some came straight from the airport with their luggage.
Among the highlights: a portfolio of 22 colour screen prints, 1977, by Jacob Lawrence, narrating the legend of the abolitionist John Brown ($156,000), and Street Music, 1950, by Harlem painter Norman Lewis ($67,200). Although the hammer total was slightly below estimate, the sale set nineteen artist records. Freeman cited L?is M Jones, who studied at the Acadamie Julian in Paris during the 1930s; her Circus Tents, 1941, sold for $31,200. The sale brought posthumous recognition to many neglected artists. It was a wonderful start.
All prices are in US dollars and include 20% buyers premium.
WINTER ANTIQUES SHOW
New York is host to dozens of art fairs, but the Winter Antiques Show tops them all. This year its 53rd more than 74 dealers exhibited at the Seventh Regiment Armory, from 19 to 28 January. Collectors had their pick, from Greek antiquities to Art Nouveau silver.
All eyes were on the weathervane situation - dealer shorthand for the sky-high American folk art market. In the late 1980s, the fair was dominated by European antiques, but by the mid-90s, the organisers were bringing back the Americana dealers,' said Patrick Bell of The Olde Hope Collection in Pennsylvania. He added, 'I've been coming to this fair for eleven years, and this is the best year ever.'
But folk art dealers were not the only ones who were discreetly cheerful about sales. Indeed, there was even some concern that the rising art prices will discourage beginning collectors.
'Nowadays, every sale is a big deal,' said Carswell Berlin of New York. He points out that due to the costs of exhibiting dealers bring only their best pieces to the Winter Antiques Show. 'For a collector just starting out, it's easier to go to one of the smaller shows. The worry is that they'll not aspire to move up to the next level.'
The Young Collectors' Night, a longtime fair tradition, was held to encourage fresh interest. Another highlight was the program of public lectures. Perhaps, though, anxiety about the next generation is premature. 'Many of my buyers were younger,' said Robert Young of London. His verdict on the fair - sensational.'
For other dealers, the regional differences stood out. According to Richard Philp, also of London, 'Medieval stone sculpture was a particular favourite with Californian clients, while New York collectors were strong on early wood sculpture, Old Master drawings and antiquities.' Like many dealers, he was happy to report sales to new clients. 'We had a very successful show. |
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