Contemporary Art by Calman Shemi, Mr. Brainwash, and KAWS Available at Robinhood Auctions

A colorful work by contemporary Argentinian-born Israeli artist Calman Shemi is among the top lots of Robinhood Auctions’ upcoming Modern & Contemporary Art Auction. The offered piece is acrylic on canvas with a lacquer coat, and it features streaks of color layered in thick, defined brushstrokes. In the background are horizontal white lines that evoke the staff of a music score. Shemi’s signature appears in the lower left corner. Many of Shemi’s works embrace a full rainbow of color, often applied to street scenes, music, and flowers. Another notable contemporary artwork in the catalog is a color screenprint by American street and pop artist KAWS (also known as Brian Donnelly). The Promise shows two of the artist’s signature grayscale Companions (stylized figures inspired by Mickey Mouse). The larger figure passes a globe to the smaller Companion, symbolizing environmental responsibility and the green economy. KAWS designed this image in 2022, basing the screenprint on an installation that he created for Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar. 

Other artists who have worked at the intersection of pop culture and high art include Peter Max, Mr. Brainwash, and Andy Warhol; the upcoming sale highlights works from each. Offered from Mr. Brainwash (also known as Thierry Guetta) is a mixed media original piece depicting Charlie Chaplin against a colorful, graffiti-covered background. Bidders can also consider Peter Max’s original mixed media work titled Earth and a suite of ten silkscreen prints of Campbell’s Soup cans from Andy Warhol. Visit Bidsquare to browse the full Modern & Contemporary Art Auction catalog and find other online auctions.