Headlining the sale are a selection of watercolours by A. Lois White. During the 1940s, given the limited materials available during wartime, White had to abandon the large-scale compositions in oil that had dominated her output in the previous decade. She began working on a smaller scale, primarily in watercolour as can be seen in the composition, Nativity - Study for Birth of Christ (Lot 7 ).
A notable collection of works by artists included in New Zealand’s The Group are included in the sale. Formed in Christchurch in the late-1920’s, The Group was an ever-evolving artist collective that exhibited for fifty years. Without championing a specific style or subject, members were united in their flair for experimentation and enthusiasm in their work. Evelyn Page was one of founding members and two of her works are included in the sale, Still Life and Fruit (Lot 30 ) & Young Woman in a Bay Window (Lot 31 ). Many celebrated female artists were involved in The Group across decades, such as Rita Angus (Lot 29 ) who was a long-standing member from 1932 until the 1960’s. Angus, alongside other influential members Olivia Spencer-Bower (Lot 27 ) and Rata Lovell-Smith (Lot 28 ), were amongst those leading the regionalist movement during the mid-century, often turning to landscape subjects in an array of approaches that captured local identity and a distinguishable sense of place.
Of interest to collectors is the selection of early New Zealand photographers on offer. Marti Friedlander’s iconic portrait of artist Louise Henderson (Lot 11 ) along with Eglinton Valley, 1970 (Lot 12 ) are both included in the sale. Photographer’s Adrienne Martyn (Lot 13 ) and Ans Westra (Lot 14 ) are also well represented.
Included in the sale are two outstanding examples by world-renowned cast glass artist Ann Robinson. Spore - Lime Green 2014 (Lot 35 ) is a key work in which the artist applied fern silhouettes onto the curved vase, with spore lines carved into the surface. This was the first of a new series of works for the artist in 2014.
Among the 104 lot offering are notable works by Contemporary New Zealand artists including; Fiona Pardington (Lots 17 - 22), Ayesha Green (Lot 23 ), Judy Millar, (Lot 24 ), Gretchen Albrecht (Lot 39 ), Sara Hughes, (Lot 47 ) & Francis Upritchard (Lot 57 ).
The auction will be on view at International Art Centre’s Parnell premises, 202 Parnell Rd, from Wednesday 1 May 2024.
