Art/Auctions: "Under the Influence" at Phillips de Pury September 23, 2011

Under the Influence

Phillips de Pury

450 Park Avenue

September 23, 2011

Sale 411

"Untitled, Bucket" by Robin Rhode

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.

"Shoes Take a Backseat" by Suue Williams

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.

"Death and Life, after Gustav Klimt (Pictures of Pigment)" by Muniz

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.

"No expectations" by Kurten, left; "Widmung" by Assig, right

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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