For art’s sake: Thirst for Bill Hammond paintings drives strong bidding

Kiwi art collectors dig deep into Webb’s art auction tonight and pay a high price for the work of New Zealand’s most respected artists.

Major works by the late Christchurch artist Bill
Hammond sold for $ 485,100.

Featuring Hammond’s signature bird-like creatures, the 2015 large painting of acrylic paint on canvas is one of three of Christchurch’s private collections, one of the five for sale. It was one.

The Strength to Carry On, a Hammond painting of acrylic on linen in 1985, sold for $ 97,020, and the SongBook 3 oil painting in 1987 sold for $ 45,478.

From his iconic “green” era late last year, the large Melting Moments II with acrylic paint on canvas painted in 1999 surprised the world of art with a record price of $ 939,881. I did.

Previously, Hammond artwork sold for about $ 200,000.

Prices for the late artist’s work have skyrocketed since he died in January last year at the age of 73, especially for rare works.

Webb art director Charles Ninnow believes Hammond is now in a league similar to New Zealand’s renowned artists Colin McCahon and Charles F. Goldie.

He said the price of Hammond’s paintings has risen five-fold in the last 18 months, based on the price per square centimeter.

It was unusual for prices to rise so rapidly after the artist’s death.

“Every artist has a sweet spot. Their careers have a period that people really want. Usually, the price of a desirable piece already has rarity and rarity built in.”

After Ralph Horter’s death, the market was oversupplied and prices did not rise to the same extent, Nino said.

Hammond’s bird paintings, which he began to make in the 90’s, were rarely on the market, as many were with museums, art galleries, and individual collectors who didn’t want to let them go.

After the artist’s death, collectors and investors were aware of the importance of Hammond’s work as one of New Zealand’s greatest contemporary artists and the fact that supply was limited.

He said Kiwi is increasingly investing in New Zealand’s finest art as insurance against inflation.

The works of art auction will feature works by Colin McCahon, Tony Fomison, Max Zimbrett, Don Vinnie, Gordon Walters, Toss Woollaston, Para McKit, Ralph Hotale, Shane Cotton, Michael Parekowai and Michael. So, it is a collection of who is who in the world of kiwi art. Courtesy of Smither, Peter Siddell, Dick Frizzell, Frances Hodgkins and Philip Clairmont.

Although bidders were able to negotiate after the auction, buyers paid significant attention to much of the artwork that did not meet their reservations at night.

One painting of Colin Makahon was handed over for negotiation and the other was sold for $ 90,956.

Michael Smither’s 1973 oil painting Rockpool from the mansion of New Zealand writer and playwright Maurice Shadbolt sold for $ 145,530. Another Smither oil painting, sunbathing on board, painted in 1968, sold for $ 72,765.

The 1973 Gretchen Albrecht acrylic paint, Threefold, sold for $ 127,338, but the second Albrecht painting, A’Penambra (in memory of his father), did not meet the reserve.

An oil painting on a 2011 canvas by Kiwi artist Andrew McLeod, untitled sold for $ 84,892.

Ralph Horter’s sketches and black window paintings sold for $ 31,531, and the 1908 Francis Hodgkins watercolors and vase pansies sold for $ 72,765.