Included in International Art Centre’s signature Important & Rare Art sale on the 26th of March is Brent Wong’s seminal masterpiece, Establishment, 1969 (Lot 32 ). One of the twelve paintings which comprised the artist’s first solo exhibition held at the Rothman’s Cultural Centre in Wellington in August 1969,
The sale also includes two early original works by Dame Robin White. The first of the two offering, Relatives at the Maketu Church (Lot 30 ) was made in 1972, the conté drawing on paper was the basis for an edition of 50 silk screen prints exhibited at the Barry Lett Galleries in Auckland in December 1974.
The strong interest in mid-century artworks continues with the masterful composition, Composition – Railway 1969 (Lot 37 ), by Michael Smither. Smither’s distinctive stylised depictions of New Plymouth capture its near symmetry and its formidable presence in the landscape. Depicting the railway station enclosed by the breakwater, Smither captures the dramatic land and sea views – depicting himself in the left lower corner, dwarfed by the landscaping surrounding him.
The powerful portrait of Rakapa, An Arawa Chieftainess (Lot 41 ) by Charles Frederick Goldie exemplifies the artists mastery of his subject. Goldie painted Rakapa’s portrait at least six times between 1910 and 1918. A smaller oil on board work by the artist Washing Clothes in a warm pool, Whakarewarewa (Lot 42 ) illustrates the artist’s use of a lighter colour palette and defined brushwork across the composition.
The auction will be on view at International Art Centre’s Parnell premises, 202 Parnell Rd, with the live auction taking place on Tuesday 26 March from 6pm.
