Los Angeles Modern Auctions present SoCal art icons in Oct. 11 sale
Ed Ruscha, ‘Hollywood,’ 1968, published and printed by the artist, 8-color screenprint on paper, #68 of 100. Signed and dated ‘E. Ruscha 1968’ with edition in graphite lower left sheet. Image: 12.5″ x 40.5″; sheet: 17.5″ x 44.5″; frame: 21″ x 48″. Provenance: Brooke Alexander Inc., New York, N.Y.; Private collection, Santa Barbara, Calif. (acquired directly from the above, 1969). Literature: Edward Ruscha: Editions, 1959‐1999: Catalogue Raisonné. 1st ed., Vol. II. S Engberg and C. Phillpot. 1999. #7. Estimate: $75,000-$100,000.
LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA), long established as a champion of California artists and designers, has announced details of its October 11, 2015 Modern Art & Design Auction. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
Many important works by Southern California masters will be offered. A painted ceramic sculpture by Ken Price, Up Back (2000), (shown below) will go to market for the first time since being acquired directly from the artist. Additionally, two major prints by Ed Ruscha – Hollywood (1968) (shown at top) and Made in California (1971) – will also cross the block for the first time since new.
Ken Price, ‘Up Back,’ 2000. Fired and painted clay, 10.5″ x 11″ x 9.75″. Provenance: Private collection, Los Angeles, California (acquired directly from the artist, 2005). Estimate: $150,000 – $200,000. LAMA image
The auction will also feature quintessential paintings by Joe Goode, Ed Moses, Chuck Arnoldi, California Hard Edge painters Frederick Hammersley and Karl Benjamin, and resin works by California Light and Space artists John McCracken and Peter Alexander. LAMA currently holds the world auction records for Hammersley, Benjamin and Alexander, and for any print by Ed Ruscha.
Additionally, there will be fine art from an important West Coast collection that includes select works by Mary
Corse, Tom Friedman, David Hockney and Frank Stella.
As an exciting extra highlight, LAMA will auction two large-scale works by Alfredo Ramos Martinez. Each of these matching modernist floral scenes was originally created and acquired in the early 1940s directly from the artist by a Southern California couple on the occasion of their nuptials. The current owner purchased the works through their estate. Martinez, who died in Los Angeles in 1946, was an international leader in the Mexican Muralist movement.
Alfredo Ramos Martinez Floripondios (2) c. 1938 Tempera and Conté crayon on illustration board Each signed “Ramos Martinez” Board each: 52.625″ x 25.5″; Frame each: 63″ x 35.5″ Provenance: The artist; Private Collection, San Diego, California (acquired from the above); Private Collection, Los Angeles, California (acquired from the above through Butterfield & Butterfield, Los Angeles, California, April 24, 1997, sale 6543, lot 5609) Louis Stern has confirmed the authenticity of these works. They will be included in the catalogue raisonné of works on paper, to be published by the Alfredo Ramos Martinez Research Project. Estimate: $150,000 – $200,000. LAMA image
Noteworthy design lots include a Jean Prouvé Dactylo desk, a Cake stool and Harumaki chair by the Campana Brothers; a Dan Johnson Satyr dining table and chairs; chairs by Arthur Espenet Carpenter, and a selection of George Nakashima furniture.
The ceramic and decorative art offering includes works by Pablo Picasso (see below), Gertrud & Otto Natzler, Beatrice Wood, Peter Voulkos, Billy Al Bengston and Otto Heino.
Pablo Picasso, Aztec Vase with Four Faces (R.401), 1957. Turned vase of white earthenware clay, decoration in engobes, knife engraved, paraffin, white enamel, #35 of 50, Madoura. Incised “EDITION/PICASSO/35/50/MADOURA”; retains “Madoura Plein Feu” and “Edition Picasso” stamps. 21.5″ x 10.5″ diameter. Ramié #401. Literature: Pablo Picasso: Catalogue of the Edited Ceramic Works 1947-1971. A. Ramié. 1988. #401. Estimate: $50,000-$70,000. LAMA image
LAMA’s October 11, 2015 Modern Art & Design Auction will start at 12 noon Pacific time. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers. For additional information on any lot in the sale, call LAMA at 323-904-1950.
