Lot 549: Subali & Sugriwa – Nyoman Meja
Art auctions are an exciting and accessible way to grow your collection. For the curious observer and new buyers auctions are fascinating processes that give insight into the art world that is often perceived to be opaque, mysterious, and even intimidating. Auctions allow opportunities for new buyers to enter the market often at amounts well below gallery prices and cheaper than purchasing directly from the artist’s studio.
Larasati Auctioneer’s upcoming 8 October 2017 Traditional, Modern and Contemporary Art auction to be held in Ubud, Bali offers eighty lots of fine art for sale in varying categories including Indonesian and Balinese art, and catering to the budgets of new buyers, intermediate collectors, and the connoisseurs.
Lot 532: Balinese Temple – Arifein Neif
Since February 2016 real-time Internet bidding has been available through the Larasati website opening the auction to a global audience. Real-time Internet accessibility allows prospective buyers to follow along observing hammer prices to assess the situation of the market and level of interest of a certain class or individual lot, while also allowing for bidding strategies to be revised.
A feature of the twice-yearly Larrasati auction is always the fascinating array of Balinese modern traditional paintings available for sale; the genre that evolved through the influence of the Pitamaha Artist’s Association established in 1936 in Ubud to oversee the growth of this art style catering for new burgeoning markets that quickly developed during the first wave of tourism to embrace Bali.
Lot 546: Suasana di Desa – Nyoman Kayun
Two works of interest by masters of the Pitamaha are Lot 565, Perebutan Tirta Kamandalu by Anak Agung Gde Meregeg (1912-2000) with an estimated price between Rp.60,000,000 – 80,000,000, and Lot 575, Sang Hyang Jaran by Tjokorda Oka Gambir (1902-1975) with an estimated price between Rp.20,000,000 – Rp. 25,000,000. These paintings offer excellent buying opportunities if purchased within the undervalued estimated prices. Both artists have had enormous influence on the development of Balinese art, Gambir one of the founders of the Ubud School of painting, while Meregeg, one of the first students of Walter Spies (1895-1942) is the grandfather of the celebrated Ubud painter A.A. Anom Sukawati.
New buyers have excellent opportunities to enter the market with Lot 505, Broken Triangle, 1990 by Made Wianta, which has an estimated price between Rp.5,000,000 – 7,000,000, Lot 510, Dua Wanita Jawa, 1988 by Bagong Kussudiardjo (1928-2004) with an estimated price of between Rp.6,000,000 – 8,000,000, and Lot 511, Figur Wayang, 1990 by Pande Gde Supada which has an estimated price of between Rp. 6,000,000 – 8,000,000. Both Wianta and Supada played formative roles in the shaping Balinese modern and contemporary art in the 1970’s.
Lot 561: Burung-burung di Surgawi – Dewa Ketut Rungan
For buyers prepared to hold works for a 10 – 20 period some good long-term investments are available here; Lot 564, Calonarang is an ink on paper work by the respected Sanur painter Ida Bagus Nyoman Rai (1915-2000) and has an estimated price between Rp.10,000,000 – 12,000,000. Lot 566, Mythological Scene is a stunning work by Dewa Nyoman Leper (1917-1984) with an estimated price between Rp.15,000,000 – 18,000,000. Nineteen-year-old Pande I Made Dwi Artha typifies the talented new generation of Batuan painters that promise an exciting future for the most loved and critically acclaimed genre of Balinese art. His dynamic and fascinating take on the culture of corruption, Lot 534, People Are My Toys has an estimated price of between Rp.7,000,000 – 9,000,000.
The connoisseur’s attention will be upon the later part of the auction, especially the final two lots by Ida Bagus Made Poleng (1915-1999). Lot 579, Kawan Rusa has an estimated price between Rp. 140,000,000 – Rp. 170,000,000, and Lot 580 Tari Baris is estimated between Rp. 150,000,000 – Rp. 200,000,000. Poleng is arguably the most talented Balinese painter of the 20th century. Lot 578, Panen Raya is a rare work by Dewa Putu Bedil (1921-1999) with an estimated price between Rp. 70,000,000 – Rp.90,000,000, and Lot 576, by Ida Bagus Made Nadera (1910-1998) Kehidupan Nelayan has an estimated price of between Rp.65,000,000 – 80,000,000.
Lot 559: Subali & Surgawi – Nyoman Gunarsa
The recent passing of pioneering modernist Nyoman Gunarsa in early September was an enormous loss to the Balinese art world. Born in 1944 in East Bali, Gunarsa was instrumental in helping forge new paths in Balinese aesthetics with his own dynamic interpretation of the wayang figures of Classical Balinese painting. His legacy as an artist, art lecturer and art community leader – one of the icons of the island’s cultural landscape – however, will continue on through the generations of artists he has inspired. Lot 559, Subali & Sugriwa is an excellent work by Gunarsa that will attract attention and has an estimated price of between Rp.45,000,000 – 55,000,000.
Other works of note are Lot 532, by Arifein Neif, Lot 546, Suasana di Desa by Nyoman Kayun, Lots 549 & 550, by Nyoman Meja and Lot 561, Burung-Burung Surgawi by Dewa Ketut Rungan. Lot 558, by Arie Smit, Lot 574, Potret Wanita Bali by A.A Gde Sobrat and Lot 572, The Birth of Ganesha, by Gusti Ketut Kobot (1917-1999) with an estimated price between 65,000,000 – 75,000,000. Good works for mid level collectors include Lot 518, by Made Suarsa, Lot 526, by Gusti Agung Wiranata, Lot 540, by Ketut Tagen and Lot 568, by Dewa Ketut Ding.
Lot 579: Kawan Rusa – Ida Bagus Made Poleng
Prospective buyers bidding over the phone, or via real-time Internet bidding who are unable to attend the previews days or auction are advised to contact Larasati and enquire about the colour reproduction accuracy of the images contained within the online catalogue to ensure that what they wish to purchase can be realistically appraised. The absence of reference to the condition of a lot in the catalogue description does not imply that the lot is free from faults or imperfections, therefore condition reports of the works, outlining the paintings current state and whether it has repairs or over painting, are available upon request.
Provenance, the historical data of the works previous owner/s is also important and is provided. An information guide including before the auction, during the auction and after the auction details, including conditions of business, the bidding process, payment, storage and insurance, and shipping of the work is also available. A buyer’s premium is payable by the buyer of each lot at rate of 22% of the hammer price of the lot.
Lot 576: Kehidupan Nelayan – Ida Bagus Made Nadera
Open to the public at the Larasati Art Space in the Tebesaya Gallery the auction starts at 2:30 pm Sunday 8 October, while viewing begins from 11am 6 Friday.
The online catalogue is available at: www.larasati.com
Viewing:
Friday, 6 October 11am – 7.30pm
Saturday, 7 October 11am – 7.30pm
Sunday, 8 October 11am – 1pm
Auction: Sunday 8 October, from 2:30 pm
Larasati Bali Art Space at Tebesaya Gallery
Jalan Jatayu, Banjar Tebesaya, Peliatan,
Ubud, Gianyar Bali, Indonesia
Words: Richard Horstman
Images Courtesy: Larasati Auctioneer’s
*Author’s note: No part of the written content of this website may be copied or reproduced in any form, along with article links uploaded to other websites, for any commercial purposes without the written permission of the author. Copyright 2020
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