OCTOGENARIAN painter and sculptor, Abayomi Barber, may be heading for his best auction record in Nigeria as one of his famous series, Ali Mai Goro is among the favoured sales to top an auction in Lagos. In the contemporary Nigerian art circle, Ali Mai Goro has been regarded as one of the most popular series. The aesthetics and features, are, arguably, one of the most hilarious sculptural pieces by any Nigerian artist. In fact, one of the earlier series is on the list of a missing popular works of Nigerian origin. With 101 lots to be sold of paintings, sculptures, mixed media, photography and prints, the auction, which also features works of other masters such as Ben Enwonwu, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Gani Odutokun and Kolade Oshinowo opens with a preview on Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, 8 while the sales hold on Monday. Interestingly, works of masters have been the central focus of the auction house in the past sales. These, works, expectedly, have been leading the sales. At N9m, Nwokos wood sculpture The Wiseman, lot 56 was the highest sold during the last auction, recording just N200, 000 short of record holder, Onobrakpeyas panel work Greater Nigeria sold at N9.2m during the maiden auction in 2008. With this, the four top artists of the former Nigeria College of Art, Science and Technology (now Ahmadu Bello University) Zaria: Onobrakpeya, Yusuf Grillo, Simon Okeke and Nwoko have dominated the list of artists whose works sold the highest at the five auctions. Although Barber does not belong to the Zaria group, his image as a leading figure in the league of masters as well as in both formal and informal art training for younger artists, in the past 30 years is strong enough lift Ali Mai Goro During the second edition of the auction in November 2008, Grillos Blue Moon emerged as the highest sold at N8.8m. Okekes Untitled (oil on board, 44 x 34 in.) at N4.2m, was also the most priced at the third auction last year. Traditionally, art auctions focus more on works of the master, particularly, the departed artists. However, the sixth edition, according to the Managing Director of ArtHouse Contemporary, Kavita Chellaram, is also featuring younger artists whose works were not included in the past auctions. Some of these artists are: Krydz Ikwuemesi, Adeola Balogun, Obi Ekwenchi, Jacob Jari, Segun Aiyesan, Sade Thompson, Marcia Kure, Demola Ogunajo Oladele Awosoga and nyemika Onwuka. Last year, photography made its debut in the auction with impressive sales. It showed a brighter prospect for the medium as Kelechi Amadi-Obis Milk led that genre with N748, 000; each of the two works of veteran photographer, J.D. Ojeikere was picked at N660, 000; George Osodis De Money, N715, 000 and Sabon-Gari River, N400, 000. The ArtHouse auctions which hold twice every year debuted in 2007 with remarkable results, unearthing the big prospects of Nigerian arts. This, in the last two years, has also attracted attention of the international art market, leading to several auctions of African arts in the U.K and U.S. And when the auction holds next month, bidders are expected from both Nigeria and abroad as works on sale include artists here and the Diaspora, foreign artists inclusive. Chellaram said, one of the leading art galleries in the U.K., the Tate Modern has shown interest in the auction.
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