Open for bidding from 20 – 27 September, Sotheby’s Modern & Contemporary African Art auction will once again bring together artworks from across the continent spanning a century of artistic production, with paintings, sculptures and works on paper from the masters of modernism to today’s rising stars all on view in Sotheby’s New Bond Street galleries.
Hannah O’Leary, Head of Sotheby’s Modern & Contemporary African Art, said: “This season we are delighted to bring to the market seminal works by Africa’s leading artists that together showcase the creativity and diversity of the continent, including pieces by Chéri Samba, Gerard Sekoto, Elias Sime, Ibou Diouf and Thomas Mukarobgwa. It is a sale of newly discovered gems by the giants of African Modernism – from two recently discovered paintings by Ben Enwonwu to a beautiful fresh-to- market work by Irma Stern – as well as artworks by rising stars Tunji Adeniyi-Jones and Toyin Ojih Odutola, coming to auction following the artists’ participation in the 2024 Venice Biennale.”
BEN ENWONWU
Nigerian Beauty, 1959, est. £100,000 – 150,000
The Emir in Council, 1959, est. £70,000 – 90,000
Sotheby’s is thrilled to announce the discovery of two significant paintings by renowned Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu, both created in 1959 on the cusp of Nigerian independence. These remarkable works, Nigerian Beauty and The Emir in Council, represent pivotal moments in Enwonwu’s career and Nigeria’s history. Created as the nation stood on the threshold of independence, these paintings capture the essence of a country in transition, blending traditional African motifs with modernist techniques.
Nigerian Beauty showcases Enwonwu’s mastery in portraying the grace and dignity of Nigerian womanhood. This vibrant oil on canvas captures the essence of a nation on the brink of self-determination, the work’s vivid colours and confident brushstrokes reflect the optimism and cultural pride of the era.
The Emir in Council offers a rare glimpse into the political dynamics of northern Nigeria during this pivotal time. Depicting an Emir presiding over his advisors, the painting provides a fascinating insight into the complex interplay between traditional governance structures and the impending shift towards modern statehood. Enwonwu’s nuanced portrayal speaks volumes about the challenges and opportunities facing the nascent nation.
These newly discovered paintings are extraordinary finds that illuminate Enwonwu’s artistic vision during a transformative time in Nigerian history. Both works demonstrate the artist’s unique ability to bridge cultural divides and his role in shaping Nigeria’s artistic identity during this crucial period. They represent not only his technical brilliance but also his deep engagement with Nigeria’s cultural and political landscape on the eve of independence.
IRMA STERN
Lady of the Harem, 1946, est. £600,000 – 800,000
Recognised as one of the most revered women artists of the 20th century and one of South Africa’s most important artists, Irma Stern painted Lady of the Harem during her trip to Zanzibar in 1945 – considered the most prolific period of her artistic output. The striking portraits of the people she came across during her travels, capture the reality of their lives, their likeness and intense expressions.
Making its auction debut, Lady of the Harem showcases all the hallmarks of Stern’s best qualities, notably a vibrant palette, expressive brushwork and descriptive detail that brought Stern international acclaim. The depiction of a female sitter within this context provides a unique insight into the intimate space reserved for the communities of women who lived there.
The work is housed in Stern’s beloved Zanzibar frame decorated with floral motifs, crafted from sections of wooden Zanzibar doorways that remain to this day one of the enduring features of the island. Included in Stern’s 1946 exhibition at Bothner’s gallery in Johannesburg, this painting was acquired by collectors well known to Stern and has remained in the same private collection ever since.
A group of Irma Stern drawings, including a sketch from the same Zanzibar visit in 1945, will be sold to benefit the Wilbur Smith Foundation, in memory of the celebrated British-South African novelist, along with Namibian landscapes by Adolph Jentsch and Maud Sumner.
FURTHER HIGHLIGHTS
The sale also offers outstanding works by artists who made a notable presence at this year’s Venice Biennale including Elias Sime, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Tunji Adeniyi-Jones, William Kentridge, Gerard Sekoto, Esther Mahlangu, Uche Okeke and more. Toyin’s expressive portrait, Birmingham (centre) delves into the multiplicity of identity through intricate depictions of Black skin.
Female artists sit at the heart of the sale, with highlights including vibrant sculptures by Nnenna Okore (est. £5,000 – 7,000) and Zizipho Poswa (est. £12,000 – 18,000), who made her Frieze Sculpture debut this week, a multi-layered collage by Cinthia Sifa Mulanga (est. £5,000 – 7,000) which captures the nuances and complexities of Black female identity in today’s world, and an exceptional example of Lisa Brice’s provocative 1992 Sex Show series (est. £7,000 – 9,000). Formulated during the earlier part of her career, the series is credited with launching her onto the international art scene and for securing her first solo exhibition at Galerie Frank Hanel in Frankfurt in 1993.
A strong selection of photography, including three works by British-Ghanaian photographer James Barnor whose retrospective was held at the Serpentine in 2021, has been curated by Amy Sall, author of The African Gaze. Eva, London (est. £5,000 – 7,000) is one of Barnor’s most recognisable images, capturing the essence of 1960s London. After settling in the UK, Barnor continued studio photography while also documenting Black women in London. Much like the hairstyles of his female subjects in 1950s Accra, many of his Black subjects in 1960s London wore wigs and extensions to align with the fashion trends of the era.
The auction also offers works by Zanele Muholi, a visual activist and photographer known for their powerful exploration of race, gender and sexuality – who is currently being celebrated as part of a solo exhibition at the Tate Modern in London for the second time, following the huge success of the artist’s 2020-21 show. The striking black and white photograph Sasa, Bleecker, New York, 2016, Somnyama Ngonyama Series, 2012-2018 (est. £5,000 – 7,000) shows Muholi with their face dramatically lit, emphasizing their skin and piercing gaze. The image is part of Muholi’s ongoing project of visual activism, challenging traditional notions of beauty, gender identity and reclaiming the black body in photography.
