Artworks in Demand

Works on paper in the postwar category stole the show for Swann’s African American Art sale

The close of Swann Auction Galleries’ March 31 African American Art sale yielded thrilling results—earning $3.6 million. Consisting of post war and contemporary works, the auction realized an 89 percent sell-through rate, with 214 of a total 241 lots finding homes. This only further illustrates Swann’s claims of continued success in the genre and “proving the breadth of the market,” says Nigel Freeman, director of African American art at Swann. Hughie Lee-Smith (1915-1999), Aftermath, ca. 1960. Oil on canvas. Estimate: $120/180,000 SOLD: $365,000

“We’ve been doing these auctions of African American art since February of 2007, making this our 15th year,” Freeman explains. “Of course, the market has changed immensely since then, and recent trends are always interesting because the market continues to evolve. We’re happy to see the growth of artists we’ve sold over the years.”

Swann’s is known for featuring artists with long careers spanning many periods and categories. The spring sale saw several of these artists breaking new records. “I am especially pleased that we set a new auction record for Hughie Lee-Smith (1915-1999)—finally eclipsing our own record with the sale of Slum Song, set in 2007,” says Freeman. Ed Clark (1926-2019), Spatial Image III, 1982. Dry pigment. Estimate: $100/150,000 SOLD: $341,000

Freeman also notes that Lee-Smith was the standout artist of the sale, with four works by the artist earning spots among the top 20 results of the auction, including his oil painting Aftermath—which earned Lee-Smith a new record at $365,000 (est. $120/180,000). “The 1960s work on canvas is an excellent example of Lee-Smith’s mid-career series of stark, desolate urban scenes with Surrealist undertones,” says Freeman. “In all, the 11 works by Lee-Smith in the sale, which span the breadth of the artist’s career, found buyers. Highlights include a 1937 sketch of a boy in charcoal selling for $11,875; Still Life with Nectarines, a 1982 oil that sold at $45,000 (est. $10/15,000); and Quandary, a late-career oil from 1997 went for $197,000 (est. $40/60,000).”

Swann’s is also thrilled to achieve the highest price for a work on paper titled Spatial Image III by Ed Clark (1926-2019), the second highest selling piece in the sale that went for $341,000 (est. $100/150,000). “[The piece] set the phones and online platforms abuzz when it took its turn on the auction block,” Freeman says. “The 1982 dry-pigment abstraction is emblematic of Clark’s use of swaths of color that evoke chaos and control simultaneously…”Alma Thomas (1891-1978), Untitled (Atmospheric Effects Series), 1971. Acrylic on paper. Estimate: $30/40,000 SOLD: $209,000

Three abstracted works on paper, including Clark’s work, also make up the top 5 lots in the sale; Alma Thomas’s (1891-1978) Untitled (Atmospheric Effects Series) sold for an astounding $209,000 (est. $30/40,000) and Beauford Delaney’s Untitled (Composition in Yellow, Orange and Red sold at $137,000 (est. $40/60,000). “It really shows the strength of these artists and how in demand they’ve become,” says Freeman.

Thomas in particular is extremely sought after and has garnered tremendous interest not only for her astounding works of art, but for her unique and groundbreaking career. “She’s famous for having a very late career,” Freeman explains, “beginning her body of abstracts in her 70s. She was also the first black woman to have a solo show at the Whitney in 1972 at 80 years old.” There is a travel retrospective exhibition for Thomas titled Everything is Beautiful, currently on view at the Frist Art Museum in Nashville, Tennessee.Beauford Delaney (1901-1979), Untitled (Composition in Yellow, Orange and Red), ca. 1958-59. Oil on paper mounted on canvas.Estimate: $40/60,000 SOLD: $137,000

In addition to the post war category for the sale, “the contemporary selection saw a strong performance with standout results for Mequitta Ahuja, Michael A. Cummings (earning an auction record), Freddie Styles (another auction record), Mickalene Thomas and Belkis Ayón among others,” Freeman notes. —

Top 10 SALES
Swann Galleries, African American Art, March 31, 2022 (including buyer’s premium)
Artist Title Low/High ESt. SOLD
Hughie Lee-Smith Aftermath $120/180,000 $365,000
Ed Clark Spatial Image III $100/150,000 $341,000
Alma Thomas Untitled (Atmospheric Effects Series) $30/40,000 $209,000
Hughie Lee-Smith Quandary $40/60,000 $197,000
Beauford Delaney Untitled (Composition in Yellow, Orange…) $40/60,000 $137,500
Charles Alston Family in Cityscape… $80/120,000 $93,750
Kenneth Victor Young Night Push $50/75,000 $87,500
Sam Gilliam Untitled $25/35,000 $81,250
Mequitta Ahuja Bramble $30/40,000 $75,000
Hughie Lee-Smith Bondage $20/30,000 $75,000