Top Five Results of Swann's Oct. 8 African-American Art Sale

As we roll into fall, the Tuesday, October 8, 2019 auction of African-American Art generates thrilling results for buyers at all price levels.  The top five results of the sale (including buyer's premium) list the more familiar names (found in African-American art history texts) along with a new auction record by abstract artist, Kenneth Victor Young.

Lot 63: ELIZABETH CATLETT (1915 - 2012)
Seated Woman. Carved mahogany, 1962. 22 1/2x13 1/2x7 inches. Initialed "EC" at the back base edge, lower right. 389,000 USD Auction Record

Lot 7: HENRY OSSAWA TANNER (1859 - 1937) At the Gates (Flight into Egypt),
24x19 inches. Signed in oil, lower left. 341,000 USD

Lot 95: KENNETH VICTOR YOUNG (1933 - 2017)
Untitled (Abstract Composition). Acrylic on cotton canvas, 1972. 2007x2997 mm; 79x118 inches. Signed and dated "72" in ink on the canvas overflap, upper edge verso. 233,000 USD Auction Record

Lot 85: ROMARE BEARDEN (1911 - 1988)
Girl in a Garden. Collage of various papers and printed fabrics, with ink and surface abrasion, mounted on masonite board, 1972. 22x14 inches. Signed in blue ink, upper left. 197,000 USD

Lot 10: ALLAN ROHAN CRITE (1910 - 2007)
Play at Dark (Westminster Street, Madison Park). Oil on canvas board, 1935. 610x457 mm; 24x18 inches. Signed and initialed in oil, lower left recto. Signed, initialed, dated in oil (twice), verso. Signed, titled and inscribed "Westminster Street, Madison Park" in pencil, verso. 185,000 USD Auction Record

Summer Reading?

Reading a book? During the summer?  I didn't set out to read any books this summer.  My already over-booked schedule wouldn't allow for it.  Couldn't even entertain the thought.  Between school work, appraisals, and the always engaging history projects, I was doing more than enough reading.  Or so I thought.  Yet, after reconciling library fees on overdue DVDs, I couldn't help but peruse the new arrivals section of history and art books at the Westfield Memorial Library.  I came across not one, not two, but three titles that just wouldn't let me walk away. Ugh! where do I start?  Well...the first selection was magnetically appealing.

Old In Art School: A Memoir of Starting Over by artist and historian Nell Painter is an inspiring narrative on blazing new trails in the next phase of life.  This book was an easy first pick since it spoke to both of my personal and professional passions: history and visual art.  Painter shared tender stories of managing aging parents, navigating suburban commutes, and showing-up prepared and experienced (old) among millennial art students and teachers anxious to keep her placed in a particular box of expectations.  I loved how she manifested herself at every encounter: deeply listening and reflecting on some tough lessons learned, and applying new insights gained from outside supporters.  Her grit and determination was infectious, and exhausting at times as mounting responsibilities threatened to challenge her focus.


The most fun I had with this book was entrance into art school.  What drew me into the narrative where the colors and forms of her experience.  From sober grays to energetic greens of the natural landscapes, to the abstract fashions of budding and seasoned artists, Painter shared vivid details of the design of her art school life.  I loved how she took us on shopping excursions to the West Orange art supply store, Jerry's, and how she described her relationship to the  different art materials: paper types, paints, pencils and brushes.  The book is well-illustrated with examples of her evolving oeuvre.  She pairs the examples with commentary from peers, teachers, and her outside support network.  Painter was also quite candid about feelings of doubt as she navigated art studies.  Her village of family, friends, artists, scholars, and select peers and teachers really made the difference.

In reading Old in Art School, one also recognizes who is allowed to participate in "The Art World": what are the socio-economic and racial factors that have traditionally characterized an art school student?  Who is an artist, and where do artists reside?  How does one gain entrance into "The Art World?"  Throughout the text, Painter discusses the issue of age, and ageism.  Apart from the human insecurities one might expect with undertaking a tremendous shift in ones life, there is this agonizing no win situation of double-consciousness (1): this sense of viewing oneself through the social identities imposed by others.  For this book, I read those identities in terms of age, gender, location, and race.  You might feel differently after reading the book.

In summary, Old in Art School is a refreshing, sobering adventure book.  It helped me to see how one might tackle a long-desired dream that will not rest.  No matter the outcomes, you are called to realize your authentic self in the form that works best for you, loving yourself courageously and abundantly.

TED-ed presentation on the work of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

This video is a super cool animated review of the inspirations, approach, and techniques behind artist Jean-Michel Basquiat's work.  Every time I see his work I discover a deeper layer of his artistry.  This video provoked me to think more about his contributions as a history painting.

Follow ATFA Appraisals on Instagram for images from our visit to The Brant Foundation's inaugural exhibition, featuring Basquiat's work thru May 15, 2019.