Some of the finest examples of our leading practitioners are currently on view at Webb’s - A superb offering and a viewing not to be missed.

At times there comes to auction works which tick all the boxes and while Webb’s Director Sophie Coupland has been entrusted with the sale of many fine works over the years, she believes Tuesday’s auction includes some of the most notable works to be offered in recent years. And with the auction only days away, excitement is mounting around some of the major works on offer.

“Of the modern period, our masterpiece is unquestionably the lyrical bird painting by Don Binney, Man’s Head from Te Henga III. The inclusion of this work represents a rare opportunity to acquire one of the artist’s greatest early pieces” says Coupland.

In the contemporary domain, the auction includes several works deserving of critical acclaim by leading artists. After setting a new record price at auction for a work by Shane Cotton in March, Webb’s is thrilled to be presenting another Cotton to the market. As Emma Fox, Head of the Webb’s Fine Art Deparment states ‘the work, Lying in the Black Land, is the most significant he painted during his Frances Hodgkins Fellowship in 1998, and is arguably the most important work by the artist ever to be offered at auction’.

While seemingly defying uncertain economic times, Webb’s has experienced a steady increase in sales by value over the past two years. And at the halfway point of the 2010 auction season, Webb’s can claim six of the ten highest prices achieved at auction this year. With over $1.7 million in turnover at the last Important Works of Art sale held in March, Coupland anticipates strong results in next week’s auction, pointing out that ‘with the success of the March sale, vendors of major works took note and came forward again with another selection of extraordinary works for this auction”.

It is with particular pleasure that Webb’s welcomes back to auction Bill Hammonds All Along the Heaphy Highway, regarded as a significant political painting by one of New Zealand’s leading practitioners. The elegant gang of bird people dominate the right hand side of the painting, whilst the left side features a dense lush forest of incredible sensitivity and detail. “This is a painting that evades reproduction, so viewing is essential”, recommends Emma Fox

By coincidence the sale includes examples of both figures that comprised Michael Parekowhai’s contribution to the prestigious New York exhibition Paradise Now? Contemporary Art form the Pacific’ held in 2004. As Coupland says, ‘Parekowhai’s work, which is largely concerned with the racial stereotyping of minorities in New Zealand and with issues of identity, was well suited to the exhibition, and Poorman of the Poorman, Beggarman, Thief trio is one of the artists’ most important early sculptural works’.

With such an outstanding offering of the finest examples of our leading practitioners, the Important Works of Art auction presents a rare opportunity for both viewers and buyers. The auction will be held on Tuesday 3 August at 6.30pm, with viewings open from today.

Webb’s invites you to a preview the suite of August sales at their Evening Preview, Thursday 29th July, 5.30pm – 7.30pm. RSVP to : reception@webbs.co.nz or 09 524 6804.

[image: Don Binney,Man's Head from Te Henga III ,title inscribed, signed and dated Oct-Dec 1974, 1900mm x 1200mm, $250,000 - $350,000 ]