A double-sided acrylic painting on Plexiglas by Raymond Pettibon (b. 1957) will be offered in Bonhams Post-War and Contemporary Sale taking place February 19, 2021 in Los Angeles. Among the most highly sought-after artists of today, Pettibon initially came into the art world through music, creating cover art for his brother’s rock band Black Flag in the 1970s and later iconic groups Sonic Youth and the Foo Fighters. He has since become a highly coveted name in the world of visual art and leading figure in contemporary culture. Currently living and working in New York City, Pettibon produces thoughtful and engaging artwork imbued with layers of wit, humor, and sociopolitical commentary; he has been collected by leading institutions globally, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. The lot on offer, No Title (Surfer in the Great Wave), 1993 (Estimate: $500,000 – $800,000), is rare for the artist, both in medium and execution. Absolutely unique in Pettibon’s oeuvre, this painting on Plexiglas encompasses the excitement and drama of Pettibon’s iconic surf imagery with the energy, expression, and passion of an artist at the height of his powers.
Laura Bjorstad, Head of Sale, said:
“Bonhams consistently seeks to offer not just the finest names in contemporary art, but also uniquely special objects. Coming to auction for the first time, this incredibly important painting has not been exhibited publicly since its creation. Not only is it historically significant to the artist’s overall body of work, but viewed from any angle, it is absolutely breathtaking. We’re thrilled to have this visual treasure leading our upcoming sale.”
Additional highlights include:
OLGA DE AMARAL (B. 1932), Alquimia XXVIII, 1985, Estimate: $70,000 – 100,000
Alquimia XXVIII is constructed of shimmering gold leaf tiles and layers of deep blue and red thread, that imbue the work with a living quality drawn from the natural world. The artist’s sculptural weavings are deeply personal, evoking the landscape and history of her native Colombia. Still practicing at age 89, Amaral’s first major museum retrospective in the United States will be held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in 2021 and travel to Michigan’s Cranbrook Art Museum in 2022.
RUTH ASAWA (1926-2013), Untitled (S.788, Hanging Sphere), circa 1960-1969, Estimate: $35,000 – 55,000
In Asawa’s signature wire medium, this delicate sculpture breaks spatial boundaries through redefining perceived constructs of dimensionality by interweaving a single unbroken line. Her work is represented is permanent collections of revered institutions including the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Over the course of the last several years, Asawa has established a name for herself as an art market superstar, with sale prices of her work on meteoric rise.
Additional highlights:
- JOHN REGISTER (1936-1996), Oxnard Pizza, 1978, Estimate: $60,000 – 80,000
- AL HELD (1928-2005), Roberta’s Trip, 1985, Estimate: $25,000 – 35,000
- SAM GILLIAM (B. 1933), Untitled, 1990, Estimate: $15,000 – 20,000
