Pioneering Nigerian artists, renowned Egyptian modernists, South African classics and vibrant Botswanan works on paper feature in landmark London auction on 7th May 2025
Lot 6: Henry James (NIGERIAN B.1996), NEW FASHION. Estimate: £700 – £900
Olympia Auctions will showcase paintings, works on paper and sculpture from Arab nations and African countries in their biggest auction yet of Modern and Contemporary African and Middle Eastern Art on Wednesday 7th May 2025. Ten Nigerian artists are appearing for the first time at auction just as their country’s pioneering art is receiving worldwide acclaim. There is a collection of classical South African pictures from one of the country’s major collections, important Botswanan paintings, and a range of works by established Egyptian artists whose names are now known on a global scale. The sale includes modernist artists as well as emerging talent.
Olympia Auctions’ expert Janet Rady has pioneered the secondary market for Middle Eastern art since 2013. She has made Olympia Auctions the go-to place for Egyptian art, is a trusted expert on art from Syria, Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon, and is now focused on introducing African art to a wider audience.
Nigerian Pioneers
Janet Rady said: “Tate Modern is holding a major exhibition on Nigerian Modernism in October. In Paris, the Centre Pompidou is showing ‘Paris Noir: Artistic Movements and Anticolonial Struggles, 1950-2000’. At the recent Tefaf, there was more African art than ever before. African art is becoming a mainstream subject of scholarly and institutional attention – and that makes it a great time to start collecting.
Each of the artists in our sale presents a different response to their culture – to social and artistic traditions and to their country’s 20th century, post-colonial history.”
Nigerian artists, many known to African collectors, include earlier generation, Suzanne Wenger (1915- 2009) and Asiru Olatunde (1918-1993) whose ‘Nigerian Scenes from Everyday Life’ is one of his earliest works (Lot 11 £800-1,200). Young pioneers of a satirical style include Kingsley Obasi (b.1983) by whom there are two striking works, portraits in a style that plays on Rembrandt’s self-portraits and questions the underlying power dynamics of traditional portraiture (Lots 13 and 14, each £2,500-3,500). Paintings by Bara Sketchbook (b. 1993) and Henry James (b. 1996) show the contemporary trend for blended figurative subject-matter; people with dignity and resilience depicted in vibrant colours and traditional textiles (lot 5 £500-700 and lot 6 £700-900).
Lot 8: ‡ Toni kabir oshiame (NIGERIAN B.1968), SISTERHOOD. Estimate: £800 – £1,200
Egyptian Modernists
There are no fewer than 15 Egyptian artists in this sale and they make this one of the largest and most varied selections of Egyptian art available to buy outside Egypt. A portrait by George Bahgoury (b.1932) of Oum Kalthoum, one of the greatest icons of 20th Century Egyptian classical music, known as ‘the star of the east’ uses sinuous curves, sharp edges and bold colour to suspend her in a perpetual moment in time (lot 66 £25,000-30,000). Guirguis Lofty (b.1953) gives his own unique reinterpretation of the traditions of Coptic art and in ‘Kindly’ uses the style of icon painting to depict not saints but local people and everyday objects (lot 67 £12,000-14,000). Works from the prestigious Zulficar collection also feature in the sale, including oils and works on paper by sought-after artists Samir Rafi (1926-2004), Seif Wanly (1906 – 1979) and Ahmad Osman (1907 – 1970).
‡ George Bahgoury (EGYPTIAN/FRENCH B.1932), OUM KALTHOUM. Estimate: £25,000 – £30,000
A Classic South African Collection
A classic South African collection includes bronze nude figures by Jean Doyle (b. 1930) and landscapes by Jan Ernst Abraham Volschenk (1853-1936) and Hugo Naude (1869-1941) showing the influence of European artistic traditions. Jean Doyle’s two delicate female nudes are typical of her interest in the position of women in society and show her ability to capture movement and vitality in the static medium of bronze (lot 32 and 33, each £750- 1,000).
From an earlier generation and evoking an entirely different mood, ‘The Schnaap Post’ by Volschenk is a perfect example of the majestic landscapes for which this largely self-taught artist is well known (lot 34 £4,500-6,000). Hugo Naude, widely regarded as South Africa’s first professional artist, is a quintessential South African impressionist and the sale includes a dazzling example of this style- ‘A Figure Walking in Sand Dunes’ (lot 36 £4,000-6,000).
Another South African sculptor, Moses Kottler (1892-1977) is represented by ‘Cassie’, a bronze of a child’s head rendered with classical refinement, poise and vulnerability (lot 38 £1,800-2,500).
Lot 38: Moses Kottler (SOUTH AFRICAN 1892-1977), CASSIE. Estimate: £1,800 – £2,500
Botswanan Expression
A collection of lithographs and linocuts of vividly coloured and expressive depictions of flowers, plants and animals make up this section of the sale by artists such as Qaeqhao Moses (b.1973). and Dada (1934-2008). They were produced as part of The Kuru Art Project established in 1986 in Botswana’s Ghanzi District, part of a wider initiative to support the self-realisation of the Basarwa (San) communities in D’Kar. Exhibitions in Southern Africa and Europe spread the fame of these works and today San contemporary art stands as a unique and internationally recognised voice in Botswana’s cultural landscape. The sale includes 13 works, perfect for new collectors with low estimates starting at £400.
Janet Rady concluded: “The thirst for knowledge about modern and contemporary African and Middle Eastern art is very exciting and I hope to continue to support and promote the market to give artists the recognition they deserve both here in the UK and in their own countries”.
Lot 39: Kofi Antubam (GHANAIAN 1922-1964), MOTHER AND CHILD. Estimate: £1,000 – £1,500
To view the catalogue click here.
PUBLIC EXHIBITION:
Tuesday 6th May: 10:00am – 5:00pm
AUCTION:
Wednesday 7th May: 12:00pmFor further information about the sale, please contact:
janet.rady@olympiaauctions.com | + 44 (0)20 7806 5541
