Made in California

Bonhams presents the Made in California auction. Each of the auction’s 86 lots is a piece of contemporary fine art produced by an artist with a strong connection to California. The lot with the highest estimated value is an untitled set of two hanging forms made of brass wire by Ruth Asawa. Asawa was a sculptor known primary for her wire pieces. She was an advocate for art education in San Francisco and helped found a school that was eventually named in her honor, the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts. 

Like Asawa’s brass sculptures, there are other non-conventional pieces included in this auction. One of the most notable is Ken Price’s “Malformation in Blue”. Price’s signature work with clay is on display in this piece, produced by fire and painted clay. One of Price’s favorite techniques is to sand down clay to reveal colors underneath, a process that creates this piece’s striking blue square.  

Those looking for a more affordable lot should consider Judith Linhares’s “Flowers”. The artist, originally from the Bay Area, uses acrylic on paper in “Flowers” to create a vibrant red that contrasts well against the paper’s color. Those interested in this or any other piece should register to bid on Bonhams’s website.