Ed Mell saw the American Southwest like no other

Ed Mell’s ‘Red Rock,’ a large oil painting from 1980, achieved $30,000 plus the buyer’s premium in May 2021. Image courtesy of Freeman’s Hindman and LiveAuctioneers.
Ed Mell’s ‘Red Rock,’ a large oil painting from 1980, achieved $30,000 plus the buyer’s premium in May 2021. Image courtesy of Freeman’s Hindman and LiveAuctioneers.
Ed Mell’s ‘Red Rock,’ a large oil painting from 1980, achieved $30,000 plus the buyer’s premium in May 2021. Image courtesy of Freeman’s Hindman and LiveAuctioneers.

NEW YORK — Arizona native Ed Mell (1942-2024) forged a career painting the rugged landscapes of the American Southwest, from Modernist-looking images of jagged cliffs and billowing clouds that swept over the desert to blooming cactus flowers and herds of longhorn cattle. Capturing the intense light and striking landforms of the region is no easy feat. Countless artists have done it before, so the views are familiar to audiences. Yet, in Mell’s paintings, what viewers see is a fresh, abstracted take, in keeping with a new era of Southwest modernism.

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Western & Contemporary Native American Art sale tops $2M at Hindman

John Nieto, ‘Poised Coyote,’ $63,000. Image courtesy of Hindman
John Nieto, ‘Poised Coyote,’ $63,000. Image courtesy of Hindman
John Nieto, ‘Poised Coyote,’ $63,000. Image courtesy of Hindman

DENVER – Western artists ranging from historic painters such as Albert Bierstadt, William R. Leigh and Leon Shulman Gaspard to contemporary names such as Ed Mell, Jeremy Lipking and John Nieto achieved outstanding prices during Hindman’s May 4 Western & Contemporary Native American Art auction. Contemporary Native American artists were also among top performers, led once again by an iconic Fritz Scholder work, Indian at the Bar. Paintings by Native American artists such as Jaune Quick-to-See-Smith and Kay WalkingStick were also among the highlights. With a lively room of bidders and strong competition from the phones and online platforms, the auction ultimately realized more than $2 million, with 94 percent of lots sold.

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Ed Mell Southwestern landscape featured at Capsule Auctions, May 26

Ed Mell, ‘Shadowed Walls,’ est. $25,000-$35,000
Ed Mell, ‘Shadowed Walls,’ est. $25,000-$35,000

Ed Mell, ‘Shadowed Walls,’ est. $25,000-$35,000

NEW YORK – On Thursday, May 26, Capsule Auctions will present two sales, including one titled Limelight: Contemporary Art and Photography, which will begin at 2 pm Eastern time. It will feature a curated selection of contemporary art, photography, paintings, works on paper, sculpture and editions from New York and New England estates and collections. Original works by Arman, Milton Resnick, Ed Mell, Herbert Ferber and Thomas Ruff appear in the lineup. This eclectic mix of pieces spans the creative spectrum in color, shape and medium. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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Fritz Scholder painting charges to top of Hindman Western auction

Fritz Scholder, ‘Indians on Horseback,’ which sold for $100,000
Fritz Scholder, ‘Indians on Horseback,’ which sold for $100,000
Fritz Scholder, ‘Indians on Horseback,’ which sold for $100,000

DENVER — On May 6, Hindman achieved outstanding prices and set new auction records in its $1.6 million Western Paintings and Sculpture including contemporary Native American Art auction. The sale showcased celebrated Western artists from the 18th to 20th centuries alongside modern and contemporary Native American artists, and saw strong interest in works by Fritz Scholder, Eve Van Ek Drewelowe, Louis McElwain, and Ed Mell. Featured in the auction was a selection of 22 works sold to benefit The Couse Foundation in Taos, New Mexico, and the construction of The Lunder Research Center. The offering raised over $114,000.

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Pomodoro, Nakashima led Ahlers & Ogletree March 27-28 sale

‘Sfera,’ limited edition bronze by Arnaldo Pomodoro, which sold for $186,000
‘Sfera,’ limited edition bronze by Arnaldo Pomodoro, which sold for $186,000
‘Sfera,’ limited edition bronze by Arnaldo Pomodoro, which sold for $186,000

ATLANTA – Sfera, a polished bronze limited edition sculpture by the Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro soared to $186,000 in an online Spring Fine Estates & Collections auction held March 27–28 by Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery. The work was the top earner in a sale of more than 1,000 lots. Absentee and Internet live bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.

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Hindman May 6-7 sale features winning Western art

Ed Mell, ‘Red Rock,’ estimated at $15,000-$25,000
Ed Mell, ‘Red Rock,’ estimated at $15,000-$25,000
Ed Mell, ‘Red Rock,’ estimated at $15,000-$25,000

DENVER, Colo. –  Hindman celebrates the legend of the American frontier with its two-day Western Paintings and Sculpture sale, scheduled for May 6-7. More than 400 lots will feature in the auction, which includes oils on canvas, bronzes, and a variety of Native American works of art. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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