Brill collection of outsider art enters the spotlight at Heritage March 13

Clementine Hunter, 'Mustard Jar with Flowers', estimated at $3,000-$5,000 at Heritage.

DALLAS — Billed as the “Brill Collection,” Heritage has announced Outsider Art, a small, 70-lot event scheduled for Wednesday, March 13. The catalog is now available for bidding at LiveAuctioneers.

Best remembered for her amazing output (estimated at 10,000) of paintings in her life, Clementine Hunter (1886-1988) was one of the first recognized members of the outsider art movement. Only starting to paint in her fifties, Hunter began selling her works for 25 cents, but by the time of her passing, she was nationally recognized. This repurposed Pommery Mustard clay jar has been painted and decorated with floral touches by Hunter, and comes with provenance directly from the artist. It is estimated at $3,000-$5,000.

Baptist minister and artist Howard Finster (1916-2001) has 12 items in the sale. Like many, he labored in obscurity for decades, toiling at his Paradise Garden museum that eventually housed 46,000 works. He gained fame when he created album cover artwork for REM and the Talking Heads. This group of five cutout figures dates to 1990-1999 and are together estimated at $2,000-$3,000.

Miami’s own Purvis Young (1943-2010) created works that were part painting and part collage. His works reside in the collections of many celebrities and have been widely exhibited. The sale features 12 pieces by Young, including Cityscape (Giant), a mixed-media on joined panel measuring 25.5 by 35.5in. It carries an estimate of $2,000-$3,000.

Lee Godie (1908-1994) lived an inexplicable life, sleeping in freezing Chicago temperatures or in transient hotels, despite having money and better options available. Her figural works are classically naive, with large eyes being a defining element. Woman with a Headband is an undated mixed-media on board signed ‘By Godie’. It is estimated at $1,000-$1,500.

Sacred and profane mingle at Potter & Potter’s quirky June 28 sale

Howard Finster, ‘Early Paradise Garden Painting Pre-Numbering,’ estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Image courtesy of Potter & Potter Auctions
Howard Finster, ‘Early Paradise Garden Painting Pre-Numbering,’ estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Image courtesy of Potter & Potter Auctions
Howard Finster, ‘Early Paradise Garden Painting Pre-Numbering,’ estimated at $10,000-$20,000. Image courtesy of Potter & Potter Auctions

CHICAGO – Potter & Potter Auctions will conduct a 570-lot Outsider, Folk, and Fine Art Sale on Wednesday, June 28, starting at 10 am Central time. Among the highlights is a canvas mixed media work by Chicago street artist Lee Goldie. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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