New York/Berlin (PRWEB) February 26, 2014 -- artnet Auctions is pleased to present Urban Art, a sale of multimedia works from leading graffiti and street artists, including Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Shepard Fairey, CRASH, FAILE, Ron English, JonOne, Rammellzee, and Keith Haring, with estimates ranging from US$1,500 to 120,000.
Included in the sale is Step Off, a unique acrylic and mixed media on canvas by graffiti artist JonOne (American, b.1963), estimated at US$12,000 to 15,000. Originally born and raised in Harlem in New York, JonOne moved to Paris in 1987 and began creating works on canvas in L’Hôpital Ephémère (Ephemeral Hospital), a workshop that included fellow graffiti artists Sharp, A-One, Ash, and Jayone Skki. This particular work was completed between 1993 and 1995, and was dedicated and given to his fellow artist and friend, Sharp. A highly busy and vividly colored abstraction, this work comes to represent an optimistic view of the frenzied cities where JonOne and his contemporaries grew up, and is a common theme in the artist’s work.
Another highlight of the Urban Art sale is an early marker-on-paper drawing by Jean-Michel Basquiat (American, 1960–1988), estimated at $90,000 to 120,000. Executed between 1980 and 1981, this untitled work features the distinctive Basquiat crown that appears so frequently in the artist’s early drawings. Hovering over the word “LOANS” and below the word “MONOPOLY,” written backwards, the crowns emphasize Basquiat’s political and social concerns. Other Basquiat offerings include three of his posthumous prints, which have been increasing in value, with the last set of four selling for over US$160,000. Untitled (Rinso), Untitled (Head), and Ernok are based on images created in 1983, and were printed in 2001. Each print is estimated at US$20,000 to 30,000.
Also featured in the sale is an ink and watercolor on paper by renowned graffiti artist RETNA (American, b.1979). Estimated at US$6,000 to 8,000, Untitled II (2012) wonderfully demonstrates RETNA’s unique, calligraphic style, which draws inspiration from various cultural and art historical references, from illuminated manuscripts and Art Nouveau to Keith Haring (American, 1958–1990) and Jean-Michel Basquiat. We are also offering several RETNA prints, including Future through Her Eyes (2010) and Eastern Realm (Grey) (2014), both estimated at US$2,000 to 3,000.
In addition, the sale includes a selection of very early KAWS (American, b.1974) prints. The first of these rare pieces is Supermodel (1999), estimated at US$8,000 to 10,000. The work portrays what used to be an advertisement, with the addition of the artist’s iconic companion elements, leaving only the model’s eyes visible. In the second of these sought-after works, a similar technique is applied to Kate Moss in Kate Moss, White Gloves, estimated at US$9,000 to 11,000.
Lastly, no Urban Art sale would be complete without the movement’s most mysterious artist, Banksy (British, b. ca.1974/1975). The sale features two versions of his last commercial print release, Choose Your Weapon (2010), a clever commentary on the evolution of Street and Graffiti Art. The work is a playful nod to Keith Haring, as Banksy pays homage to the pioneering artist who helped pave the way for the acceptance of graffiti within the art world. The seemingly flat and simplistic style of Haring is contrasted with Banksy's stencil work, which is rich in detail and depth. Also included is Choose Your Weapon in Slate, from an edition of 25, estimated at US$18,000 to 22,000, as well as a print in gray from an edition of 100, estimated at US$12,000 to 18,000.
The Urban Art sale is live on artnet Auctions from February 25 through March 6, 2014, and is on view at http://www.artnet.com/auctions/search/?q=keyword-urban_2014-category-all-artworks-active-auctions-only/.
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For more information about this sale, please contact artnet Auctions specialists:
Alex Benrimon
Associate Specialist, Prints
+1-212-497-9700 ext. 147
abenrimon(at)artnet(dot)com
Brittany Noris
Associate Specialist, Contemporary Art
+1-212-497-9700 ext. 131
bnoris(at)artnet(dot)com
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