Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

Turkish Contemporary, The New Frontier

April 15, 2010 by Marion Maneker

Colin Gleadell sets up today’s Contemporary Turkish auction that is now being held as part of Islamic art week at Sotheby’s:

The Islamic sales are a bi-annual event on the calendar, but this week something different has been added to the mix: Sotheby’s has drifted into the 20th and 21st centuries, with a sale on Thursday devoted to contemporary Turkish art. Sotheby’s held its first sale of contemporary Turkish art last year, but, because it was not during Islamic sales week, it did not have that kind of juxtaposition which draws attention to the relationship of artists to their cultural heritage. The mix of art otherwise on offer follows last year’s pattern, although there are hopes that, if the modern art can turn a few heads, sales will rise from last year’s £1.3?million total (near the lower end of the estimate) to over £2?million.

Whereas the Ottoman Empire was a source of inspiration to Western artists in 19th century, modern Turkish art was influenced by the West and the Parisian fashions for cubism and abstraction in particular. A classic example in this sale is an untitled Fifties painting – inspired by African totems – by Fahrelnissa Zeid, the doyenne of modern Turkish painters working in Paris.

Estimated at £300,000-£500,000, it’s the kind of price you would expect from more established School of Paris artists from the Fifties, such as Serge Poliakoff or Hans Hartung.

Art Sales: Islamic Art Week (Telegraph)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Turkish Contemporary Makes for ChinaTurkish Contemporary Makes for China
  • How to Build an Art Market: Turkish EditionHow to Build an Art Market: Turkish Edition
  • Sotheby's Turkish Sale £2.436mSotheby's Turkish Sale £2.436m
  • Entry-Level Picasso Sells for $45mEntry-Level Picasso Sells for $45m
  • Swann African-American = $3.1mSwann African-American = $3.1m
  • ‘Damien Domination,’ Hirst’s 3,000-person Real Estate Development Comes Closer to Reality‘Damien Domination,’ Hirst’s 3,000-person Real Estate Development Comes Closer to Reality

Filed Under: Emerging Markets Tagged With: Turkish Contemporary

About Marion Maneker

LiveArt

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor