Portland Art Museum to Present Major Survey 'Hank Willis Thomas: All Things Being Equal…' by ArtFixDaily

Portland Art Museum to Present Major Survey ‘Hank Willis Thomas: All Things Being Equal…’

The Portland Art Museum presents the first major survey for the Brooklyn-based artist, including a new monumental commission addressing lives lost to gun violence.

Hank Willis Thomas (American, born 1976). The Cotton Bowl, from the series Strange Fruit, 2011. Digital c-print. 50 x 73 inches. © Hank Willis Thomas, courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.

This fall the Portland Art Museum presents Hank Willis Thomas: All Things Being Equal…, the first major survey of the work of one of America’s most important conceptual artists working today. The exhibition opens October 12, 2019, and will be on view through January 12, 2020.

Throughout his career, Hank Willis Thomas (American, born 1976) has addressed the visual systems that perpetuate inequality and bias in bold, skillfully crafted works. Through photographs, sculpture, video, and collaborative public art projects, he invites us to consider the role of popular culture in instituting discrimination and how art can raise critical awareness in the ongoing struggle for social justice and civil rights.

Organized by the Portland Art Museum and co-curated by Julia Dolan, Ph.D., The Minor White Curator of Photography, and Sara Krajewski, The Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Hank Willis Thomas: All Things Being Equal… features approximately 100 works including early photographic series, recent sculptures based on archival photographs taken during historic 20th-century events, quilts constructed from commercial sports jerseys and prison uniforms, video installations, interactive two-dimensional and time-based works, and public art projects. In addition, the Museum will support the creation of a new and monumental flag-based work addressing lives lost to gun violence in the United States in 2018 that will serve as the entry point to the exhibition.

Following its presentation in Portland, Oregon, the exhibition will travel to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas (February 8 – April 27, 2020), and to the Cincinnati Museum of Art in Cincinnati, Ohio (July 10 – September 27, 2020).

Hank Willis Thomas (American, born 1976). Da' Nile/Unbranded: A Century of White Women, 1915-2015, 1956/2015. Chromogenic print. 52 x 50 inches. © Hank Willis Thomas, courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York. — Hank Willis Thomas (American, born 1976). Da’ Nile/Unbranded: A Century of White Women, 1915-2015, 1956/2015. Chromogenic print. 52 x 50 inches. © Hank Willis Thomas, courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.

Hank Willis Thomas deftly confronts the most critical issues facing us today—racism, violence, inequality, injustice—through a range of visually dynamic, approachable artworks,” said Curator of Photography Julia Dolan. “His photographs, sculptures, and interactive media installations encourage thoughtful inquiry; they challenge viewers to acknowledge histories of struggle and the damaging legacies of oppressive systems without losing sight of the hope for meaningful change. The exhibition traces Thomas’s multi-decade commitment to exploring that which divides us. It also forefronts his belief that confronting and acknowledging our collective past can help move us forward in constructive and collaborative ways.”

The many works included in All Things Being Equal… demonstrate Thomas’s inventive exploration of photography, advertising, and modern art and their many sociocultural ramifications. The exhibition groups art works thematically to illuminate subjects that Thomas has treated with sensitive nuance throughout his career, including the human toll of gun violence, the impact of corporate branding and the commodification of individuals, and the ways advertising plays to myths and stereotypes of race. The exhibition also highlights Thomas’s investigation of archival images from many sources and how he has applied strategies of appropriating and reframing texts, images, and materials to connect historical moments of resistance and protest to our lives today as a call to continue moving toward greater social justice.

Portland Art Museum visitors and passersby have already interacted with Thomas’s work—first in 2016’s In Search of the Truth (Truth Booth), a traveling collective work with artists Ryan Alexiev, Jim Ricks and Will Sylvester, inviting audiences to complete the sentence “The Truth Is…” while being videotaped, and more recently with the For Freedoms 50 States Initiative banners promoting voting in the 2018 mid-term elections.

Hank Willis Thomas (American, born 1976). Promise, 2016. Fiberglass and chameleon auto paint. 17 x 47 x 14 inches. © Hank Willis Thomas, courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.

“Hank Willis Thomas is an artist who works in multiple mediums, including collaborative projects. Our For Freedoms partnership gave museum-goers a preview of his deeply human-centered approach, grounded in respecting each individual’s voice and seeing each person as a whole being, not a stereotype or an ‘other,’” said Sara Krajewski, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art. “In both his solo work and his collaborations, Thomas asks us to reframe our perceptions of race, politics, history, and popular culture so that we can better understand and combat the systems that dehumanize us.”

A comprehensive publication accompanies the exhibition. Co-published with Aperture in 2018, the book features essays by the exhibition’s co-curators, as well as new scholarship by Professor Sarah Lewis (Harvard University), and an interview with the artist by Dr. Kellie Jones (Columbia University).

Bidsquare- The Most Convenient Place For Auction

Bidsquare was launched during September 2014 with the purpose of delivering authentic and convenient auction facilities to the aficionados. Bidsquare is a modern online bidding platform with a vision to provide exceptional access to authentic, rare and historic fine art along with antiques and timeless pieces.

Today, Bidsquare is an active community consisting of dealers, auction houses, and collectors in the art and auction world. The auction fanatics get access to diverse types of genuine relics on this website. The website works with several auction houses and has sold some remarkable items for them at decent prices. The bidders also get the opportunity of real-time bidding on the website.

Outstanding Features which Bidsquare offers

There are some outstanding features that the website offers to customers. They are:

Live Auction Bidding: Online bidding has become easier with the Bidsquare website. A bidder bids for an item live while it takes place. The website also provides the opportunity to a bidder to deliver an absentee bid while being absent. In such cases, the platform bids for the bidder.

Access to condition reports: The bidders can request a condition report for any item via the website. Knowledge of the condition of various items ensures a perfect auction procedure.

Instant Buying: The website features an option for the buyers to buy any item at a fixed price. One can take the instant buying option to avoid bidding for an item.

Personalized watch list: A bidder can make a personalized catalog for the items to bid for in the website. This enhances the accessibility for the buyer.

Growth of Bidsquare

Since Bidsquare started its journey, it worked with different leading auction houses and dealers. Some prominent auction houses are Cowan’s, Brunk, Pook & Pook, Rago, Skinner and Leslie Hindsman.

The online platform also works with Wright, Stair, Wexler, Fortuna, JamesDJuliya, Coeur d’ Alene, Todd Merrill, and Palm Beach Auctions.

With bids worth more than $500M, Bidsquare has grown manifold. It has also helped over 100 dealers and elite auction houses to place their products among the worldwide audience ensuring sales.

Bidsquare has developed this repute as it puts diversified items in the auctions. There are more than 15 item categories available on the website. Rare paintings and figures, classic and modern furniture and even scientific items are widely auctioned on the website. Thus, users get a lot of interesting products to choose from. The auction houses get the benefit to put different items in a large pool of bidders, thus, a quicker sale is expected.

The business of the website has already experienced growth over 250% after Bidsqaure was launched. Thesaleroom.com, the UK based online auction platform tied-up with Bidsquare in August 2015 elevating the audience base of the company.

Some leading items sold on Bidsqaure website

A number of items comprising of hefty selling prices are already sold by the website. The items include the following:

The Chinese Archaistic Aubergine Glazed Porcelain Censer and a Chinese Yellow Glazed Bowl were sold for $192,000 in a premier auction.

A set of Four Hairpins and a Kingfisher Feather Headdress was sold by $110,700 and a Platinum and Diamond Ring was also sold at $145,200 via the website.

Premier Auction sales on Bidsquare

The website always helps auction houses gain outstanding profits. The Sotheby Spring 2019 Hong Kong Auction ended up at US$482 million. The categories of items included the Modern Art, Contemporary Art, Asian Paintings and Fine Classical paintings.

The website also sold the remarkable painting, ‘A Close Call’ by William R. Leigh at a price of $1,120,000. Coeur d’ Alene was the auction house that delivered the item. This was a painting that made the auction house cross the $1M milestone for a single item.

In another Coeur d’Alene Art Auction of 2017, the painting, ‘Rustle of Mice’ by Bob Kuhn was sold at $83,300. This provided the auction house with a decent profit.

Other Items sold in the same auction were ‘Bedside’ by Dean Cornwell and ‘The Pitcher and the Well’ by W.H.D Koemer. Both these items were sold to an online bidder at $50,757 and $47,600 respectively.

The Brunk auction house got a remarkable sale of $1.84 million in the second premier auction in 2018. The color etching, ‘Park Palace’ by Wayne Thiebaud was sold at $19,680 in the auction to a Bidsquare bidder.

In the same Brunk Auction, the 55/121 lots of rare jewelry was sold for a lump sum total of $296,557. A bidder from the website bought the Platinum and Diamond Bracelet at $27,060 which was far above from the estimated price.

Thus, the contribution of Bidsqaure in the global auction marketplace is remarkable. If you are new in this field and want to understand how the auction works, Bidsquare provides you with an overview along with all the help and technical support. Once you sign up as a buyer, you can also subscribe to their personalized e-mailer which will keep you updated with all the happenings on the website.

It also helps the dealers and auction houses to put their items in exclusive catalogs. These catalogs help the bidders to go through all the items in a lucid manner. The reason why the website has lately grown excellently is because of the enriched network of personal dealers who provide luxurious items for auction.

Lacock Abbey: Birthplace of Photography on Paper at Hans P. Kraus Jr. Fine Photographs

Photography on paper was born in 1839 in England at Lacock Abbey. A new exhibition of photographs juxtaposes the work of its inventor William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-1877) with the contemporary work of Hiroshi Sugimoto, Abelardo Morell, and Mike Robinson. Lacock Abbey: Birthplace of Photography on Paper will be on view at Hans P. Kraus Jr. Fine Photographs from March 2 through May 10, 2019. The exhibition, which pays tribute to Talbot’s beloved ancestral home in Wiltshire, features architectural exteriors and interiors, still lifes, portraits, and tree studies by Talbot, complemented by interpretations from three contemporary artists, who have been inspired by his pioneering photographs.

William Henry Fox Talbot (English, 1800-1877). Stable roofline, northeast courtyard, Lacock Abbey, September 1840. Salt print from a calotype negative, 8.0 x 8.2 cm

Among the highlights of the exhibition is one of the earliest examples of Talbot’s calotype negative process, Stable roofline, northeast courtyard, Lacock Abbey, a salt print from September 1840, made the year after he announced his invention to the world. This apparently unique print has never before been exhibited. (This is confirmed by The William Henry Fox Talbot Catalogue Raisonné, which was just released by the Bodleian Libraries.) Set in Lacock’s northeast courtyard, this spectral image of shows Talbot’s innate compositional talent emphasizing the geometric proportions of his home.

Talbot demonstrated that photography could serve as a bridge between the ancient and modern worlds with his Bust of Patroclus, 1842. The plaster bust of Patroclus, defender of Achilles, was one of Talbot’s most frequently used subjects. Unlike a person, a plaster cast remains steady during the long exposures and experiments with lighting. This boldly sculpted, highly reflective head modulated light and shadow in an infinite number of ways from a wide variety of angles. Talbot’s brush strokes around the border of this exceptional salt print identify this as an early print coated by hand. Later prints appeared in Talbot’s The Pencil of Nature, the first commercially-published photographically-illustrated book (1844-1846). The print on view was made from the same calotype negative as was later used in The Pencil. Art historians are indebted to Talbot, because his invention allowed scholars to study objects in photographic reproduction.

Also on display is Lace, a fine early 1840s salt print. The negative for this print was made without a camera by placing an intricate piece of lace on a sheet of photographically-sensitized paper, capturing its shadow, and producing the boldly graphic image. When Talbot held Lace in front of a group of people they believed it to be an actual piece of lace and were astounded to learn that it was a photographic representation instead. Physically flat, highly detailed, and possessing myriad distinctive anomalies such as torn threads, Lace was an ideal exemplar of Talbot’s method of demonstrating photography’s ability to record a level of detail comparable to that found in still lifes by the most accomplished Dutch painters.

Talbot’s home and his interpretations of it have inspired several living artists. Hiroshi Sugimoto (Japanese, b. 1948) renews our sense of the wonder and mystery that accompanied the dawn of photography and pays homage to Talbot in An Oriel Window at Lacock Abbey, probably Summer 1835, a toned gelatin silver print from 2010. Sugimoto photographed one of Talbot’s earliest photogenic drawing negatives, inverted the image during the production process, and greatly enlarged it, obtaining a positive print of a negative the inventor had never printed. He then toned the image in colors corresponding to the colors of Talbot’s own prints. Sugimoto’s creative intervention is a reflection on the medium, implicitly narrating its beginnings while gesturing toward his vision of its future.

Abelardo Morell (American, b. 1948, Cuba) made his first picture using camera obscura techniques in his darkened living room in 1991. The exhibition includes a print of Camera Obscura: Courtyard Building, Lacock Abbey, England, from 2003, made by the artist partly in homage to Talbot and partly to suggest the ongoing spirit his invention continues to instill in the curiosity and practice of present day artists.

Ironically, the most recent pictures in the show are daguerreotypes made in 2018 by Mike Robinson (Canadian, b. 1961). He boldly brings his mastery of the French inventor Daguerre’s process to the home of the British inventor of photography on paper.

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Hans P. Kraus Jr. Fine Photographs, established in New York in 1984, is a dealer in 19th and early 20th century photographs. The gallery is a member of the ADAA, PADA, and AIPAD, participating in Paris Photo, and The Photography Show presented by AIPAD. Hans P. Kraus Jr. Fine Photographs publishes monographs and catalogues under the series title Sun Pictures. The gallery is located at 962 Park Avenue at 82nd Street in New York City. For more information, please contact 212-794-2064 or [email protected].

Lacock Abbey: Birthplace of Photography on Paper at Hans P. Kraus Jr. Fine Photographs

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Clements Features Southern Art Icon Thornton Dial In April 7th Auction

Thornton Dial 1928 -2016, Photo by Josh Anderson for The New York Times, 2016

It was once said that not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere. There is perhaps no better example of this than the Alabama native, self taught artist Thornton Dial. Clements is proud to offer 3 works from this iconic artist in our Spring Fling 2019 Auction beginning April 7th at 1:00pm.

Lot 147 – Woman on Horseback Pastel and Charcoal on Paper by Thornton Dial

Born in the segregated South to a poor family of sharecroppers, Dial began creating his art out of the derelict items found throughout his hometown of Bessemer, Alabama. Using dilapidated items of metal and wood, ranging from okra stalks to plastic buckets, he began to assemble forms that emulated the poverty stricken and downtrodden communites of the rural South.

Lot 181- Lot Woman with Tiger, Watercolor and Graphite by Thornton Dial

When he began to explore more traditional mediums of watercolor and pastel, he began to use the recurring theme of a tiger through his works. The sprawling jungle cat served as a representation of Dial himself, an African American male clawing for survival in America.

Lot 334 – Watercolor and Graphite by Thornton Dial

He would go on to have his work exhibited at some of the most prestiguous museums in the world including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The High Museum, The Whitney Museum of American Art, The Smithsonian, and many more. He founded and became chairman of the Souls Grown Deep Foundation, an organization dedicated to the preservation of African American art for those viewed as outsiders, much like himself.

Clements is honored with the opportunity to be able to showcase works from this influential Southern artist. Don’t miss your opportunity to bid. Register for the auction by clicking here.

James Van Der Zee: Studio at Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York

James Van Der Zee, the celebrated African American photographer whose studio was at the crossroads of the Harlem Renaissance, depicted the lives of black New Yorkers for decades. Forty of his influential portraits will be on view at Howard Greenberg Gallery from March 7- April 27, 2019. Spanning the 1920s through the 1950s, James Van Der Zee: Studio marks the photographer’s first exhibition in New York in over 15 years, providing a window into his legendary studio and the vast archive he created of Harlem’s cultural history. Van Der Zee’s inclusion in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Harlem on My Mind exhibition in 1969 brought his work to a new audience securing his reputation as one of the great photographers of the 20th century. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, March 7, from 6 – 8 p.m.

James Van Der Zee, "Young Girl with Dog," 1921. Gelatin silver print; printed c.1921, 4 3/4 x 2 3/4 inches ©Donna Mussenden Van Der Zee, Courtesy Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York — James Van Der Zee, “Young Girl with Dog,” 1921. Gelatin silver print; printed c.1921, 4 3/4 x 2 3/4 inches ©Donna Mussenden Van Der Zee, Courtesy Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York

When James Van Der Zee opened his photography studio on 135th Street in 1918, a new era was beginning in Harlem, a time when jazz, poetry, art, and literature all flourished. Capturing the glamour as well as everyday life, Van Der Zee became known as the eye of the Harlem Renaissance.

Unique among portrait photographers, Van Der Zee used painted backdrops and luxurious props, creating elaborate tableaux for his subjects, and bathing them in flattering lighting. After developing his photographs, he would at times take out his paintbrushes, carefully hand coloring his images. Finding and portraying the elegance and refinement of his subjects was his mission be it Marcus Garvey, the noted civil rights activist and politician, or multiple generations celebrating a family event.

While known predominantly for his portraits, Van Der Zee also chronicled the streets around him. The exhibition will include his photographs showing Harlem storefronts, parades, and church groups, providing a glimpse of the era’s quotidian elements of life. Together with his portraits, they give viewers the most complete picture available of lives lived in Harlem for over a half a century.

James Van Der Zee’s legacy has inspired numerous contemporary artists among them Lorna Simpson, who referenced Van Der Zee’s props in her recent photography; Dawoud Bey, who attended the 1969 Metropolitan Museum exhibition as a 16-year-old and was deeply affected; and Barry Jenkins, the director of the 2019 Oscar-nominated film If Beale Street Could Talk.

“Seeing Van Der Zee’s photographs of ordinary African Americans marked the beginning of my own aspirations,” notes Dawoud Bey, whose work will be subject of a traveling exhibition at New York’s Whitney Museum of American Art next year. “Certainly my early Harlem, USA photographs sought to portray the Harlem residents of the 1970s with a dignity that I first encountered in his work.”

About James Van Der Zee

James Van Der Zee (1886-1983) was born in Lenox, Massachusetts. At the age of 14, he received his first camera and took hundreds of photographs of his family and the town of Lenox. In 1916, he moved to Harlem just as large numbers of black migrants and immigrants were arriving there. He set up his first portrait studio in his sister’s music conservatory and two years later, with his second wife, Gaynella Greenlee, established the Guarantee Photo Studio in Harlem. Quickly Van Der Zee became the most successful photographer in Harlem. Early 20th century entertainer/dancer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and renowned poet Countee Cullen were among his more prominent subjects.

In 1969, the art world finally took notice when Van Der Zee’s work formed the centerpiece of the Harlem on My Mind exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Although the exhibition was controversial and its many shortcomings caused anger in the black community, it did have a powerful effect on his career. Many in turn promoted his work in exhibitions around the nation. He and his images were also the subject of numerous books and documentaries. In the few years before his death, encouraged by his third wife, Donna Van Der Zee, whom he married in 1978 and who manages his estate, Van Der Zee came out of retirement to photograph luminaries such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Miles Davis, and Muhammad Ali. In 1993, the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. exhibited his work as a posthumous tribute.

About Howard Greenberg Gallery

Since its inception over 35 years ago, Howard Greenberg Gallery has built a vast and ever-changing collection of some of the most important photographs in the medium. The Gallery’s collection acts as a living history of photography, offering genres and styles from Pictorialism to Modernism, in addition to contemporary photography and images conceived for industry, advertising, and fashion. Howard Greenberg Gallery is located at 41 East 57th Street, Suite 1406, New York. The gallery exhibits at The ADAA Art Show, The Armory Show, The Photography Show presented by AIPAD, New York, Photo London, Art Basel, Paris Photo, and Art Basel Miami Beach. For more information, contact 212-334-0010 or [email protected] or visit www.howardgreenberg.com.

Arts of Asia Leads Countdown at Alex Cooper’s Auction

In the world of auction, we all have a sense of desire to acquire Asian Artefacts, don’t we? Alex Cooper auction presented Arts of Asia on Thursday, March 21, 2019, which included many fascinating artifacts that could have grabbed the spotlight.

Let’s take a look at the outpouring objects and crafts originated in the part of the world where we can find many exquisite and artistic works. Also, the auction focused on items such as decor, jewelry, watches, and cars. The sale further boosts the continuous interest in the Asian art culture.

Important Chinese Carved Zitan Shadakshari Deity

Chinese sculptures are described as a unique form of art. The auction presents an early 19th century, Chinese carved figure. This beautiful sculpture is considered to be a deity known as Shadakshari Lokeshvara. Shadakshari Lokeshvara is seated on double lotus in a diamond position. The deity also known as the Buddha of Mercy beholds the fate of mankind humanity.

Similarly, Shadakshari Lokeshvara has a warm smiling face as it shows that he is filled with compassion and love towards all creatures. The divine figure has four arms where two of his hands are joint together in a gesture of greetings. However, they seem to be held slightly apart to hold a gem that grants wishes. His lefts hands hold a lotus flower which symbolizes purity and enlightenment.

He is portrayed as a friendly spirit who is devoted to helping humanity. His purpose is to show humans a path away from self-centeredness and materialism. He appears to be in a Prince-like attire as he can be seen with pieces of jewelry around his neck. The beautiful and mesmerizing deity was sold for $22,680.

A Gentlemen’s Rolex Daytona in 18K Gold

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Every watch enthusiasts or anyone who is looking to acquire a luxurious timepiece in their collection should pursue Alex Coper’s auction. The sale presents premium designer wristwatch that will be sold at an estimate of $15,000-$20,000 fetched $18,900 at the bidding. The Rolex Daytona watch is indeed one of the finest models in 18 K yellow gold finish. At the sides of this watch is a high-grade original crocodile strap that suits anyone who is aiming for an elegant look.

The Cosmographic Daytona was first introduced in 1963 designed to feed the demands of professional racing drivers. After years of its creation, the Cosmographic Daytona remains linked to the motor racing world.

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Thai Repousse Silver Offering Bowl

This fine item is one of the many Chinese decorative items in the auction. It is discretely carved bowl decorated with Thai female figures. The decorated silver bowl has plated 40 baht premium silver.

This bowl is noteworthy for the rich and vibrant design of women with a landscape background. The underside is inscribed with a Thai script. Now, who wouldn’t want to get their hands on this exquisite piece of beauty, isn’t it? This item was sold for $473.

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Three Chinese Export Famille Rose Articles

Its extravagant color scheme, durability and exquisite design makes the item an intriguing part of the collection. The tureen is crafted with dynamic Famille Rose decoration along with large florals and smaller leaf vignettes and is accompanied with decorated under plate. Similarly, the Rose Mandarin style jar was sold along with matching trumpet vase.

Chinese porcelain, produced by patrons of the Qing Dynasty in the 18th century, was built with the same technical virtuosity as Chinese Imperial porcelain but designed for Western taste. The porcelain is a continuation of Chinese culture and admiration of incredible Chinese artisans. Since centuries, Chinese ceramics are one of the most valuable forms of Chinese art and ceramics worldwide. They have had an enormous influence on various other ceramic traditions. It was estimated for $300-$400 and was sold for $567.

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Impressive Chinese Carved Jade/Wood Screen

Lot 534 presents the magnificent eight-panel miniature screen created in the 20^th century. It has gilt calligraphy and sacred object decoration crafted in each one of them. The plaques at the bottom are carved of flowers blooming on a vase. The engraved artwork tells us the ancient stories of China. You could also see beautifully carved lotus symbol on the lowest part of decorated plaques. This impressive wood is all set in carved hardwood panel frames having verso red painted on each panel. The Chinese carved wood screen was sold for $221.

Chinese Famille Verte Porcelain Moon Vase

Alex Cooper has acquired a rare set of antique Chinese Famille Verte Porcelain Moon Vase to adorn to its newest collection. This amazing piece right here was originated in the 19th century. It is a peculiar item, uniquely constructed moon flask with body foliated with birds surrounded by the garden.

The circular disk’s edges are designed with smaller designs. The cylindrical neck is attached to a pair of curved handles. The estimated price for the vase was $2000-$3000. It was sold for $1,764.

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A Collection of Gent’s 14K Gold Watches

The viewpoint for the luxurious brand is to put your grand look together. This first item to the extreme left is Gruen wrist watch with tank style face with the second hand sub dial. The reason for this watch to be called luxurious is because of its “iconic style” that includes curved crystal, gold plate stretch band, and mechanical movement.

The second piece is a Crauford wrist-watch accessorized by tank face and diamonds at 3 and 9 o’clock. It is done in 14K yellow gold. The wrist is encompassed by stretch gold plate band.

Lastly, the third item (extreme right) is a Lucien Piccard wrist-watch with a round gold toned face. This watch incorporates the quartz movement. The design is artistically incorporated into showcasing the watches aesthetics.

The estimated price was $400-$600. Nevertheless, it was sold for $630.

The auction was quite a success bearing the fact 227 impressive pieces from the collections were sold. If you want to find out more, you could visit the Alex Cooper Auction.

The Journey of Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery

Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery has been running in business since 2013 by Robert Ahlers and Christy Ogletree Ahlers. Robert Ahlers decided to go through with the idea of operating an auction house considering his association with antique and suction related businesses for 26 years. The Auction Gallery has known success as they are located on Miami Circle in the historic Buckhead district of Atlanta, one of the Southeastern United States’ largest commercial and financial centers. The Ahlers team are also associated with 14th Street Antiques & Interiors, Peachtree Battle Antiques & Interiors, Black Bear Antiques, Buckhead Lamp & Shade, and Peachtree Battle Estate Sales & Liquidations.

They are a full-service auction gallery that has held many auctions each year. Ahlers & Ogletree Auction is one of the leading auction houses among all the auction enthusiasts in terms of offering intriguing collections and wonderful dealing experience.

https://www.aandoauctions.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ahlers_and_ogletree_staff_photo_2.jpg — **Growth of Ahlers & Ogletree Auction**

Over the years, Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery has grown to become one of the largest antique auction houses in Atlanta. Due to their various impressive networks, they are now able to offer selections not only at the auction gallery but also their retail locations. The Auction Gallery has an impeccable source of the network that helps them acquire a collection of rare antiques and many more valuable items. The CEO of the company, Robert has directed his efforts towards pushing Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery into a leading auction house in 2016. Their focal ambition was to become the company that represents virtue, and quality customer service and reputation of transparency.

The gallery is located in a showroom of 8,000 sq. ft. with the provision to gain an optimal viewing and luxurious bidding experience. Moreover, the auction is housed in another location on Miami Circle covering about 17,000 square feet. These spaces provide ideal flexibility for property’s pre-auction storage as well as the prime location to preview items for the most enthusiastic buyers in the Southeast.

The auction house promotes an environment of honesty and integrity. They are an innovative brand that offers at multiple locations across all market categories.

Departments in the Auction House

The auction gallery offers about 8 auctions every year. The auction presents you with a distinctive collection of items such as rare objects, fine art, estate jewelry, vintage automobiles, fine silver, collectibles, antique furniture, as well as rare maps and books. Additionally, there are magnificent offerings that include Asian art, decorative arts, crystal, prints and multiples, textiles, jewelry and coins, sculpture, and modern design.

Diversified profiles of working

The gallery introduces ready-to-bid pieces featuring a variety of individual items and collections, prominent consignors, liquidations, leading collectors, estates and other selected sources. Their collections are handpicked from prominent collectors and famous individuals, as well as museum deaccession works.

Each auction and sale is broadcasted on three live bidding platforms namely, Invaluable.com, LiveAuctioneers.com, and Bidsquare.com along with their proprietary bidding platform called Bid.AandOauctions.com as well as their phone app.

Some of the sales that are a highlight of Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery are Andy Warhol’s portrayals of Marilyn Monroe, antique mixed metal water pitcher, Federal Period cherry and yellow pine chest of drawers furniture, and French art glass.

The renowned contributions of Ahlers & Ogletree Auction

The company has offered many contributions to the auction market. The auction called “New Year’s Signature Estates Auction” engrossed around $1.19 million!

John Folinsbee "River at New Hope" | Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery — **This gorgeous painting titled *River at New Hope* by the prominent John Fulton Folinsbee (1892-1972) was sold for $165,200 on an annual New Year’s Signature Estates Auction featured on Jan. 6-7.**

https://www.aandoauctions.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Lot-317-300x300.jpg — **The collection also featured a black and white photograph signed by the renowned photographer Robert Mapplethorpe (1946-1989), titled Patrice (1977), with a winning bid for $14,880.**

William Picknell | Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery — The auction offered another impressive piece of 69 ¼ inches by 59 ½ inches framed collage of acrylic and charcoal on papers by Juliao Sarmento (Portuguese, b. 1948). It was titled *Arena* (1985), and was sold went for $19,360.

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“Black Shoulder” hand-painted French china designed by Van Day Truex (Am., 1904-1979) was sold in the same auction with all 103 pieces marked by Tiffany on the base. It was sold for $12,400.

They also provide service through an app that won the best auction mobile app award in 2016! It facilitates convenient on-the-go live bidding during an auction, verifying the status of absentee bids immediately after the sale, and ability to pay the invoice.

Live auctions take place in Atlanta but are attended by bidders from all over the world via telephone and internet. Winnings can be confirmed by checking on the mobile app or online bidding platform. Additionally, all successful bidders receive an email notification about their winning bid once the auction closes. Also, the press releases by Ahlers & Ogletree officialwebsite share detailed information about past auction results.

All these years of operation and Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery has never failed to satisfy their audiences!

The Empty Quarter Gallery presents photographs taken in 1962 by Japanese photographer Y. Kawashima

Y. Kawashima, Sankei Shimbun, 1962, Sheikh Rashid in his Office ©Y. Kawashima.
by Kimi M. Akai

DUBAI.- It was in November 1962 when a Japanese photographer Y. Kawashima set foot in the Trucial States, today’s United Arab Emirates. Along with his fellow journalist, he was on a mission to report on the wider Middle East for the Sankei Shimbun Newspaper, as Japan’s interest in the region had been fuelled by the arrival of first shipment of oil from Khafji on Saudi/Kuwait border in the previous year. Having landed in Sharjah’s RAF airfield, the pair of journalists made their way to Dubai on a Land Rover taxi to stay in Airlines Hotel near the Creek, the first and only lodging there.

Though Dubai then was a poor small settlement before the dawn of the modernisation era (the discovery of oil did not take place until 1966), it appeared to be a surprisingly lively place with trading and commercial activities. Kawashima who was enchanted by its energy, hustle and bustle “just could not help but pressing camera’s shutter”, thus capturing life in this harsh yet vibrant port town – from the ruler Sheikh Rashid in his humble “palace”, to the Creek, abra crossing, souk, wedding, school and so forth in his trusted Nikon F.

By a stroke of luck there was a Dubai citizen Mr. Abdullah Kamal living in the town who spoke fluent Japanese as he had lived in Kobe, Japan in the1920’s and kindly showed them around. This most unexpected encounter enabled the journalists to visit some key places including the palace where they met the ruler Sheikh Rashid, affording Kawashima diverse shooting chances within a short period of stay of just 5 days.

The collection was buried away and remained in the Sankei archive in Tokyo for nearly half a century until it was brought to the attention of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Sheikh Rashid’s youngest brother in 2007. Thanks to Sheikh Ahmed’s kind gesture, the two former journalists were invited to revisit the emirate for the first time since 1962, and subsequently the collection was brought back to life in its place of origin.

As a trained professional photographer, Kawashima prides himself being interested first and foremost in people, which is evident in his Dubai collection. One can almost feel the emotion of someone in a picture or hear what he is saying. These evocative images telling many stories of yesteryear bring the past closer to us making the contents relevant today half a century later.

The photographer encapsulated not only scenes of Dubai but more significantly the spirit of those forward-looking, dynamic, open-minded enterprising people who despite the hardship of pre-oil era life, believed in tomorrow and were striving for better future. This is perhaps one of the reasons why his photos resonate powerfully with many – whether those of the old generation who have witnessed the phenomenal transformation or those new to the emirate who are simply amazed by the stark changes.

This “Spirit of Dubai” as Kawashima calls, may also help explain some basis of the emirate’s incredible journey from an impoverished sheikhdom to the dazzling futuristic city within a matter of one generation. Amidst of all stands tall Sheikh Rashid, the driving force who initiated the modernisation even before the discovery of oil, laying foundation of the emirate’s prosperity. Without this extraordinary leader, Dubai’s transformation to today’s ultra-modern metropolis renowned for diversity, tolerance, peace and innovation would not have been possible. Kawashima, myself and the team at the Gallery would like to present this exhibition as a tribute to Sheikh Rashid, the Father of Modern Dubai and its past. Step back in time and enjoy Dubai 1962.

Esteemed Hugh Hardy’s Estate becomes the most awaited auction

One of New York’s most influential builders put their estate for auction at Showplace. The Estate auction that got everyone’s attention belonged to none other than Hugh Hardy (1932 – 2017). He was an American builder whose influence adorns the most iconic cultural institutions of America.

Hardy was a highly revered person, especially in the manner for the restoration of architectural marvels in the United States of America. He has always been known to be entrusted with some of the most iconic and high profile restorations to date. So when his Estate went under the hammer it caused quite a buzz in the collectors’ arena.

The beautiful masterpieces auctioned this time have garnered a lot of praise and appreciation from the community of auction goers.Some of the high-status restitutions included venues such as Radio City Music Hall, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the New Victory Theatre and the New Amsterdam Theatre.

John Gadsby Chapman (American, 1808-1890) "Harvest on the Roman Compagna" oil paiting Hugh Hardy estate auction March 2019 — J. G. Chapman “Harvest on the Roman Compagna” Oil
Lot 50

One of the most sought after items was the panoramic oil on canvas Harvest on the Roman Compagna by the American painter John Gadsby Chapman. It was sold for a grand $75,000, way higher that its estimation of $18,000. The detailed painting is captivating the more into the intricacies one goes. Gives the audience a feel of beautiful Roman landscape.

Evelyn Hofer “Santa Maria-Bergamo” B/W Photograph
Lot 17

Evelyn Hofer’s black and white photograph on glossy paper also graced the auction. Santa Maria & Baptistry, Bergamo photograph was one of many, collected as works of contemporary art.

Dore Gilt Bronze Nautilus Figurative Sculptures Pr
Lot 1

Among the myriad of things that caught the fancy of people, one item in particular was the 19^th century decorative piece, the pair of French Dore Gilt Bronze Nautilus Figurative Sculptures.
The sculptures comes with horse heads, mounted patinated bronze, winged cherubs and nude figurative sculptures depicting Poseiden and the sea-queen Amphitrite on dolphins. It was sold for $5400 with 35 bids which was one of most bidded items in the lot.

Neoclassical White Marble & Ormolu Mantel Clock
Lot 25

Another Neoclassical piece with over 23 bids was the Neoclassical White Marble & Ormolu Mantel Clock. Made of white marble, black onyx and ormolu/gilt bronze, this mantel clock comes with white dial and black Arabic numerals. It also has Corinthian fluted columns, urns and a sculpture of an eagle. Its pendulum is face of Bacchus- an ancient Greek and Roman fertility god, associated with the vine and wine.

Neoclassical Manner Gilt Brass Candelabra/Lamps Pr
Lot 3

This pair of Neoclassical manner five-light candelabra / table lamps were true representation of the era. Each arm has winged swan with double fishtails. The columns are standard gilt brass with square white marble bases. It stands at 31.5” H x 11” W and is visibly in perfect condition.

Since his first love was architecture and restoration of the arts, it was imperative that furniture played an important role in his collection. He was a keen collector of furniture and his diverse style are highlighted in a pair of French Rococo Giltwood Open Armchairs with C-scrolls. The chairs are adorned with flowers and leaf motifs. The arms and legs terminate in scrolls and is typical of mid-18th century (Louis XV) era with carved details.

C:UsersDellDesktop4394192.jpeg — Jean-Francois Coulon French Louis XV Bombe Commode
Lot 41

Similarly, in the category of furniture, his collection would be incomplete without a wooden commode. And the one which took up an eminent place in his collection was Jean-Francois Coulon French Louis XV Bombe Commode. The 1750’s commode is complete with a marble top, two fitted drawers over a single long drawer and decorative veneer work. It has cast ormolu handles. The drawers are adorned with decorative accents at corners and feet, stamped on both frontal corners and under the marble-top “F Coulon”.

Judaica Silver Karah Passover Pesach Seder Set
Lot 10

The architect though heavily influenced by the neoclassical was a man of eclectic tastes. It has been reflected resplendently throughout his collection. Like the Judaica repousse silver Karah Passover Pesach Seder set. With six ceremonial food cups and three shelves for matzah. It also has double doors, engraved with Hebrew letters. And each cup and a door marked,”835.” It weighs at approx 201.25 ozt and was sold for $6000 !

Enamored by art, his distinguished taste reverberated in his collections. From the ancient to the contemporary, from fine art to photographs and oil paintings dating back to the 15^th century. He was also known for and prided himself on his collection of designer items, the likes of which included Alexander McQueen, Gianni Versace, Donna Karan, Emilio Pucci among others. Not only couture but the accessories collected by him over the years went up on the auction.

The sale which went up early March was a treat for collectors worldwide. This also gave his admirers a glimpse into the world of this contemporary and dynamic figure. The auction was one of the most awaited events and had many keen eyes on the lookout. So, when the collection of one of the most influential architects in the world goes up for auction, the bidding world notices, pauses and takes a deep breath !

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