For 5th Affordable Lagos auction, Dale, Oyelami, young artists on sale

 'Turn by Turn' (mixed media on canvas, 106 x 137 cm, 2019), by
Qozeem Abdullahman.

As the preview of fifth Affordable Art Auction took off yesterday, promoting art appreciation via relatively comparative values, by Arthouse Contemporary continues, aiming at engaging new collectors.

David Dale, Muraina Oyelami, Jimoh Buraimoh, Matt Ehizele, Sam Ovraiti and Duke Asidere, among others are artists whose works of art estimated below one million naira go on display for the Affordable 2020 edition, holding on March 7, 2020 at the Kia Showroom, Victoria Island, Lagos. To give the art enthusiasts and collectors an opportunity to prepare for the auction sale ahead, a preview started yesterday and continues today till March 7, at the same venue.

 “As the sister edition to the May and November auctions, the Affordable Art Auction features artworks that are scaled to an accessible price point,” Arthouse Contemporary stated. “This edition of the Affordable Art Auction features 101 lots by leading modern and contemporary artists with small-scale works and prints by modern masters including Jacob Afolabi, David Dale, Matt Ehizele, Sam Ovraiti, Jimoh Buraimoh and Muraina Oyelami, among others.” Also featuring, according to the auction house, is a print of Ben Enwonwu’s iconic painting, Tutu.

Supported by Kia Motors, Absolut, 7UP and The Guardian Arts, the auction features works of contemporary artists, which include paintings by Rom Isichei, Alimi Adewale, Ben Osaghae, Kainebi Osahenye, Tolu Aliki, Uchay Joel C hima, Alex Nwokolo, Kehinde Oso, Tola Wewe and Charles Okereke, among others.

The Affordable Art Auction also features many rising artists, including Dare Adenuga, Muyiwa Akinwolere, Edozie Anedu, Deborah Segun, Johnson Uwadinma, Agemo Francis, Timi Kakandar, John Madu, Femi Morakinyo, Qozeem Abdullahman, Onyinye Afam and Michael Eneijson, among others, many of whom are described as “participating for the first time.”

In support of the Arthouse Foundation, a non-profit artist residency programme in Lagos, the auction will also feature charity lots with artworks by Oladele Awosoga, Nkechi Nwso-Igbo, A. Akande and Enem Inwang. The proceeds from these charity lots, the auction house assured, “will go directly to supporting the programmes of the Arthouse Foundation, including its residencies, workshops, talks and exhibitions.”

The last edition of Affordable, which was hurriedly rescheduled to avoid being held on the new date of 2019 general elections, acceding to the results released by the organisers, recorded "a total of NGN 27,047,750 million from 97 lots" on sale. The previous year's edition had 107 lots on sale and recorded N26, 668,000 million.

For the last sales held few days before the rescheduled elections, the two top sales of the evening were Rom Ischei’s 'Strength of Purpose I and II, oil on boards, sold for NGN 1,150,000 and NGN 1,116,250. Other sales of the night included Pita Ohiwerei’s No Woman No Cry, an oil on canvas dated 1999, and sold for NGN 1,057,500; Bunmi Batatunde’s bronze sculpture, Possibilities, sold for 1,034,000; and Twins Seven Seven’s The Great Fisherman, a mixed media on board from 2001, sold for NGN 998,750.

Founded in 2007, Arthouse Contemporary is an international auction house that specialises in modern and contemporary art from West Africa. Arthouse Contemporary aims to create awareness of the scope of contemporary art in the region, encourage international recognition towards its talented artists and strengthen the economy of its art market.