Affordable art that's worth buying. Get industry professionals' tips on what’s coming up at auction. PLUS news, events, books, exhibitions and everything arts & culture.
A €3M sleeper 👳🏾♂️ & some rare bargains on the market.
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ON THE MARKETRODERIC O'CONOR (Attributed to) Still life £1,000 - 2,000 Pretty in Pink: O'Conor may not be a household name, but at his best, he’s a breathtaking painter who often brings in six-figure sums at auction. This piece is only attributed to him, and the signature’s a bit dubious. But the technique speaks for itself—and at this price, it’s too good to pass up. A 'NGATU TAHINA' TAPA CLOTH Polynesian Islands, 20th Century £300 - 500 These cloths are crafted by flattening sections of tree bark, joining them, and then block-printing—a distinct technique perfected by Pacific Islanders over thousands of years. Still central to their culture, they’re often created for major ceremonies, like weddings, then divided among guests as gifts. This particular cloth (448 x 250 cm) could serve as a massive statement piece or be split into smaller panels. With no reserve and a starting bid of just £1, it’s an intriguing decorative option at a potential steal. PETER SEDGLEY Study No. 2 for Spring Fever, 1981 £500 - 700 The last Sedgley of this date to surface at auction fetched over £10,000. Admittedly, this piece is smaller (48 x 68 cm) and on card, but it’s certainly worth more than £500. Definitely worth a punt! SLEEPERHere’s a story I missed from back in May. Pictured right is a painting simply catalogued as "Portrait of a Sultan" with an estimate of €2,000–3,000. The final price? An astonishing €3,000,000! Turns out, the sitter wasn’t a Sultan but rather Mughal Emperor Jahangir (pictured left). And the artist? At that price, it could only be Lievens or, more likely, an early Rembrandt. A formal attribution is pending, so we’ll have to wait to see if it’s accepted. SNIPPETS🎙️ Interview: Get to know Flora Yukhnovich, the 34-year-old taking the art world by storm. (11 mins). 📺 What to watch: The latest Fake or Fortune episode on iPlayer. 🤦♀️ Oh dear: Banana duct-taped to a wall could fetch $1.5M. 🧠 Science: Study says looking at real life art is more stimulating for your brain. 🤓 Quiz time: Can you guess the year and country in today's Artle? SHARE UNBUNDLEMake someone's day! 🤝 Forward them this email. Better yet... Refer just 1 friend and start winning amazing prizes. 👇 See how below.
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unBundle Art Newsletter
Affordable art that's worth buying. Get industry professionals' tips on what’s coming up at auction. PLUS news, events, books, exhibitions and everything arts & culture.
The Friday F.U.N Email (Factoid, Under 2k, Nuggets) Factoid: Why Buying Affordable Art Is Harder Than You Think Buying affordable art might seem straightforward, but it’s often trickier than investing in high-end pieces. Here’s why. In the first half of 2024, 91% of auctioned artworks were priced under $10,000, with 61% under $1,000, according to ArtPrice data. This segment, driven by the boom in online sales, is the fastest-growing part of the market. It’s easier than ever to buy affordable...
The Friday F.U.N Email (Factoid, Under 2k, Nuggets) Factoid: Relax, It’s Only 0.22% A banana duct-taped to a wall selling for $6.2 million is, admittedly, tough to digest. Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian ignited both outrage and existential despair after its sale. “If that’s art, then it’s the end of art, isn’t it?” lamented Bendor Grosvenor. Well, “some people don’t realize when they’re being played” said Marion Maneker of Puck. So who's holding the peel? Enter Justin Sun, the 34-year-old...
THIS WEEK: The green fairy, a fantastic foot, books, exhibitions & more. Keep on scrolling... Absinthe is making a comeback—or so says The Observer. Once banned for nearly a century, the emerald elixir has reclaimed its place in London’s trendiest bars. At Soho’s Three Sheets, for example, you’ll find the “Sazzaquack,” a zesty mix of rooibos-infused lemon absinthe. For generations of artists, though, absinthe wasn’t just a drink—it was a muse. Gauguin, Picasso, Degas, Manet, and Van Gogh not...