Modern Art & Design: Spring 2020

When American muralist and graffiti artist Keith Haring started drawing graphic lines and cartoon figures on the vacant billboards of New York City’s subway, the art scene was caught up with Conceptualism. His white-chalk graffiti drawings captured the attention of New Yorkers and earned him international recognition. Fascinated by cartoon art from an early age, Haring eventually dropped out of the Ivy School of Professional Art and moved to New York. While there, he befriended fellow artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol. Defending the public nature of his work, he once said, “Art is for everybody.” A Haring drawing on plexiglass is a leading lot of the upcoming Modern Art & Design: Spring 2020 auction, presented by Palm Beach Modern Auctions. This piece shows several winged figures above a dancing television set.

A large bronze figural sculpture titled Extasis by Venezuelan artist Abigail Varela is also among the leading lots. Known for his bronze sculptures depicting abstract feminine figures, Varela’s sculptures have disproportionately thin arms, small heads, high necks, and wide hips. A parchment-covered oak table by Jean-Michel Frank is also highlighted in the sale. Frank is known for his Minimalist, elegant furniture made of luxury materials. View any of these lots and register to bid on Bidsquare.