The paintings (lots 345 and 346), where he used vitreous enamel fired at 800 degrees Centigrade on steel (which means the works will keep their colours for several hundred years in outdoor settings), were created in 1975 and 1977 and formed part of an extensive series using this technique.
Ostoja-Kotkowski was born in Poland in 1922 and at 27 migrated to Australia where he attended Melbourne’s National Gallery School of Art with Sir William Dargie and Alan Sumner.
So talented was he that he received several awards in painting, films and photography followed by a Churchill Fellowship in 1967 and an Australian National University Creative Arts Fellowship five years later.
In 1968, Ostoja used laser for the first time on stage in Australia in his sound and image experimental theatre and, with the help of the ANU’s School of Physical Sciences, in 1972 designed and built the first laser-chromason.
He then spent several weeks at California’s Biofeedback Experimental Laboratories investigating the possibility of using brain waves in the arts field.
Other Polish migrant artists in the auction include works by Feliks Dolgan, Jerzy Potrzebovski and J. Pauvlowski.
Sunday’s auction features a collection of religious icons (Lot 13) that Lydia Guziak brought with her when she migrated from Poland.
Auctioneer Tony Philips said these were large Ukrainian 18th century icons painted on wood, traditionally made for eastern churches and representing sanctified Christian personages.
Another interesting item is the commemorative Franklin Mint sterling silver medallion set (with 100 pieces) in a collector’s box (Lot 3).
Furniture highlights include a four-metre long mahogany dining table with 10 matching chairs and a breakfront mahogany William IV bookcase.
Monday’s jewellery auction from 6pm features 300 lots focusing mainly on vintage and antique pieces from four estates. One, a Tasmanian estate, comprises Victorian and Edwardian items, including antique brooches (Lots 56 and 57), while another contains an antique gold tapestry bracelet and an amethyst and pearl set bangle (Lots 10 and 15).
Gemmologist Tanya Philips said one client had provided an unusual diamond serpent bracelet (lot 2) along with a pair of diamond set earrings (lot 109) and a stylish pair of deco style earrings (Lot 121).
“The sale also covers large items such as a 5-carat old cut diamond ring (Lot 203) as well as several impressive diamond pendants and coloured stone rings,” she said.
