Focus on Five – Art
As part of the regular Focus on Five series, Auctioneer Paul Keen takes a look at the upcoming art sale in Plymouth next week.
“There is a real mix to this auction with a contrast of affordable contemporary and local art on offer” says Paul.
Choosing five from a selection of 150 lots isn’t easy, but looking around the Saleroom, some bright dynamic paintings stand out, including Lot 211. A great painting consigned by Hackney artist Nicholas Borden, painted in bright oils depicting ‘View From St. Augustine’s Tower, Hackney”. This work was exhibited at Town House Gallery, London this year.
Paul remarks “It was a pleasure to meet Nicholas and chat about the work when he travelled down to Plymouth. He studied at Saint Martin’s School of Art and then the Royal College of Art. I am delighted that there have already been a number of bids on the work, and hope that it will reach its £800 to £1,000 estimate”.
Nearby is a painting titled ‘Welcome Home Featuring The Nearly Home Trees’. It has been entered into the sale by the artist Karen Farrington, who is based in Launceston, Cornwall. This is the second painting we have offered and her distinctive style make a perfect collectable piece of art, with an attractive guide price of just £200 to £300.
Back to Plymouth, and painting in the Lenkiewicz style, is popular new local artist Simon K Bennett with an oil portrait titled ‘Jodie’ dating from 2016 and measuring 87cm x 57cm, this work would blend with a modern or traditional home, and at £300 to £400 its worth a bid.
Two works by Devon artist Katharine Lightfoot really stand out, including ‘Hounds’ measuring 80cm x 70cm. Both paintings were acquired by the seller directly from the artist and they have already attracted attention including an enquiry from Australia. Works by this artist rarely come up for sale at auction and command high prices in galleries. They are estimated from £1,000 to £1,500 each (Lot 203 & 204).
Finally, on to the continent with Italian artist Giuseppe Capogrossi (1900-1972). He was a popular abstract artist, exhibited in 1934 at the Western Art Museum’s ‘Exhibition of Contemporary Italian Painting’ in San Francisco. He subsequently became one of the main exponents of Italian informal art. Lot 310 is a hand signed low edition lithograph titled ‘Opale 3’ circa 1971 and is one of several works on offer, with a guide of just £150 to £200.
The auction will also feature works by Robert Lenkiewicz and takes place online and live at the Saleroom in Plymouth, on Wednesday 15th September at 6pm.