Ben Enwonwu Leads Bonhams Auction
Following the record-breaking sale of Tutu, a 1974 rediscovered portrait by Ben Enwonwu, the world anticipates another auction, “Bonhams Africa Now on Sale’’ in London on Thursday October 4 with leading works by Ben Enwonwu on display.
Founded in 1793, Bonhams is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers with regional representatives in 22 countries.
It comes as no surprise that this auction house parades more pieces from Enwonwu on the heels of the epic commercial returns on “Tutu’’. One of the 25 lots by Enwonwu in the 121-lot sale is “Rhapsody in Blue” (1988) with an estimate of £60,000 – 90,000. The alluring piece shows a silhouette of a female nude, reclining suggestively against a vibrant blue and yellow background. The work represents Enwonwu’s artistic statement in the negritude discourse.
Another leading work by Enwonwu is the 1989 piece titled, “Ogolo’’. Described as a monumental dark painting of a male masquerade figure, the work is estimated at £200,000 – 300,000. Ogolo was reportedly executed by Enwonwu barely two years after the death of his elder brother, Ike Francis Enwonwu and it was spurned by his encounter with the traditional masquerade during his brother’s funeral.
The auction is usually a global experience aided by online engine for bidders and witnessed by the art community in diaspora through live streaming.