Cain Modern Auctions’ May Sale Offers Colorful Aboriginal Australian Art, Mexican Modernism, and Contemporary Furniture

The latest sale from Cain Modern Auctions presents a wide range of furniture, decorative art, and fine art from around the world. The Mexican Modernism, Art, Lighting and More event particularly spotlights Dreaming paintings by Aboriginal Australian artists. This live sale will begin on May 25, 2024 at 1:00 PM EDT. Online bidding options are available through Bidsquare. 

Leading the fine art section of this catalog is a vivid watercolor painting by American artist Keith Finch (lot #44; estimate: USD 4,000 – $6,000). This piece is signed and dated 1987. Dominated by shades of pale blue and aquamarine, the composition is divided by sharp white lines that give geometric movement to the piece. A Colorado native, Finch was active in the Los Angeles area and was known for his large watercolor paintings. 

Aboriginal Australian artists are well-represented in this catalog, including Liza Walsh, Jaxon Gittens Barrindji, and James P. Simon. A large rectangular piece by Walsh is especially notable (lot #64; estimate: $4,000 – $6,000). This colorful painting embraces intense colors and swirling lines. Walsh lives and works in rural Western Australia and depicts the land through her art. Bidders can also consider Barrindji’s brown and white painting with snaking branch shapes (lot #65; estimate: $4,000 and $6,000) and a painting that features concentric circles from Simon (lot #61; estimate: $2,000 – $3,000). 

Among furniture lots, a tufted sectional sofa by Patricia Urquiola for B&B Italia is available (lot #172; estimate: $6,000 – $8,000). It consists of five interconnected pieces upholstered in a gray material. The piece belongs to B&B Italia’s Tufty Time collection, which re-interprets the modular sofas of the 1960s and 70s. Urquiola is a Spanish architect and designer, considered among the most prominent female designers of today. She operates an independent design studio in addition to her collaborations with brands such as B&B Italia. Another key sofa in the catalog is a serpentine piece in the fluid style of American designer Vladimir Kagan (lot #176; estimate: $2,000 – $3,000). 

Additional lots of interest in this auction include: 

• A portfolio of 20 drawings by Mexican artist Francisco Zúñiga (lot #126; estimate: $6,000 – $8,000) 
• A colored serigraph by George Littlechild depicting an Indigenous woman (lot #25; estimate: $3,000 – $5,000)
• Norma Goldberg’s Love is Love bronze sculpture (lot #165; estimate: $4,000 – $6,000) 
• A crystal drape chandelier by Low Country (lot #159; estimate: $2,000 – $3,000)
• A black-and-white linocut by Margaret Burroughs (lot #37; estimate: $1,500 – $2,000) 

Cain Modern is the source for the elegant and the classic. The store is a result of a desire to give people with an eye for design the opportunity to purchase mid-century designer pieces that are usually reserved only for the design industry. The company sources the world for that unique piece which can’t help but evoke excitement. It is passionate about the timeless form and function of mid-century treasures by designers such as Robsjohn Gibbings, Vladimir Kagan, Paul Evans, Milo Baughman, Karl Springer, Finn Juhl, Hans Wegner, Dunbar, Widdicomb, Brown Saltman, Thayer Coggin, Paul McCobb, Paul Frankl, Paul László, Fontana Arte, Van Keppel, Vinnini, Gio Ponti, Parzinger, and many others.

The Mexican Modernism, Art, Lighting and More sale will begin at 1:00 PM EDT on May 25, 2024. To view the complete catalog and register to bid, visit Bidsquare.