Affordable Modern Art at Auction

There is often a misconception that buying art at auction is expensive, especially when it comes to modern pieces. We’ve all seen the jaw-dropping sums commanded by graffiti artists or Turner prize winners, but what about pieces at the other end of the spectrum? Here are five examples of affordable modern art at auction that would fit into any interior setting and carry estimates below £500:

Affordable Modern Art: Still Life

This small, rather charming oil on board has been much admired in our office. The image itself is only 11cm x 7cm, but featuring domestic items (a loaf of bread, a Willow pattern plate and a half glass of pale ale) this naïve painting takes influence from the centuries-old traditional of still life painting. Sadly, we don’t know the artist as it appears unsigned.

Affordable Modern Art: Minimalism

Born in London in 1931, John Miller became famous for his idyllic scenes of Cornwall (most of the West Penwith peninsula). During his career, he was an art teacher, television personality, patron of various charities and was responsible for the reordering of the interior of the Newlyn Art Gallery. In 1961, he was elected to become a member of the Newlyn Society of Artists. In 1992, he developed his distinctive beach paintings, which were hugely successful and through selected London galleries, his exhibitions often sold out.

Affordable Modern Art: Printwork

Maira Kalman is a living artist, illustrator, textile designer and author. Born in Tel Aviv, her family moved to New York when she was four. Her distinctive style can be seen in the illustration of over thirty books written for adults and children, her textile designs for Isaac Mizrahi and Kate Spade and in collaboration with her late husband, her watch and clock designs under the brand M&Co.

Affordable Modern Art: Oil on Canvas

Cecil Rochfort D’Oyly John’s style is almost instantly recognisable and epitomises the zeitgeist of the mid-20th century. Born in South Africa in 1906, his early career saw him undertake many different role which included working on a Japanese tramp steamer and pearl-fishing in Manilla. At the outbreak of war in 1939, he returned to England and served with the Military Police. It is believed, that in 1945 he was wounded by a V2 rocket which resulted in temporary blindness and a long period of recuperation. During this time, he was encouraged to paint and adopted a palette knife technique that he had seen used while travelling in Belgium. In the 1950s, his career gained great momentum when publishers Frost and Reed published his works as prints and several paintings were purchased by the then-Queen for the Royal Collection.

Affordable Modern Art: Limited Edition Plate

Does art have to be on canvas, board or paper? This limited edition plate, published by Swid Powell for the Gagosian Gallery was designed by perhaps the most infamous artist of the 20th century, Damien Hirst. Titled Home Sweet Home it is believed to date to 1996 when much of his output of this period focuses on mortality and death with cigarettes a frequent motif. In 2001, at the Eyestorm Gallery in London, Home Sweet Home works were mistaken for overflowing ashtrays and thrown away!

Antiques, Fine Art & Collectables | Tuesday 21st May

Viewing times (ID required):

Birmingham

Monday 20th May 10:00 – 16:00

Tuesday 21st May 08:30-10:00

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