Los Angeles, CA— On Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 12:00pm PDT, John Moran Auctioneers will present Art & Design- the first major sale of 2024. The auction, having more than 270 lots, will feature an array of styles and aesthetics from luminaries including Alec Monopoly, Doyle Lane, Mernet Larsen, Ansel Adams, Maurice Utrillo, Jean Dufy, Shrihadi Soedarsono, Theo Tobiasse, and a rare graffiti black sketchbook from the mid 90’s, comprising of over 200 tags with works by KAWS, Shepard Fairey, Ruby Rose Neri, Margaret (Meta) Kilgallen, Jared (Geso) Costa, Barry (Twist) McGee, and various other street artists who made their mark in the early street art movement. The decorative offerings boast works by Fulvio Bianconi, Salviati Murano, David Cressey, Loredano Rosin, Miquel Ortiz Berrocal, and Philip Moulthrop. Fabulous furniture designs by Hans Wegner, Adrian Pearsall, Charles and Ray Eames, Gio Ponti, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Finn Juhl, and Frank Gehry will round out the sale.
KAWS (b. 1974), Shepard (Sheppard) Fairey (b. 1970), Ruby Rose Neri (b. 1970), Margaret (Meta) Kilgallen (1967 - 2001), Jared (Geso) Costa (b. 1977), Barry (Twist) McGee (b. 1966), and various artists, “The Bible” $30,000-50,000
One of rarest works presented will be a black graffiti sketchbook dubbed “the Bible,” circa 1995. This invaluable ensemble of artwork features 118 pages and 236 tags by various artists representing crews from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. Estimated at $30,000-50,000, and assembled by San Francisco Street Artist, Jared (Geso) Costa (b. 1977), the piece details the beginning of some of the most influential Street Artists today, including works from Mission School artists Barry McGee and Margaret Kilgallen, several pieces featuring Andre the Giant by a then unknown Shepard Fairey, and the now ubiquitous bubble lettering reading “KAWS.” This time-capsule provides a rare look into the evolution of the Street Art movement from the 90’s where tagging trains, tunnels, subways, rooftops, trucks, and billboards, was the norm, to today where many of the artists represented in this book are now household names boasting museum retrospectives, millions of social media followers, and some of the most sought-after and costly work in the contemporary art world today.
“Not since 2021 has a graffiti sketchbook from the mid-1990’s come up for auction and that work was from Kaws’s personal collection, mostly representing works by Kaws himself. The piece realized $75,600 and was offered congruently with the artist’s Brooklyn Museum Retrospective, “WHAT PARTY.” With the invaluable window into the mid-90’s Street Art Movement from Coast to Coast, this work will represent a priceless chance to own a piece of art history and it will be exciting to see where the hammer falls,” said Jenny Wilson, Fine Art Director at Moran’s.
Hans Wegner (1914-2007), AP-19 Papa Bear chair and ottoman for A.P. Stolen $7,000-9,000
Another featured street artist is Alec Andon, professionally known as ‘Alec Monopoly’ (b. 1986). His signature is covering his face with his hand or using a medical face mask to hide his facial identity and his claim to fame is the use of the Parker Brothers legendary board game Monopoly character “Mr. Monopoly”. Monopoly’s work has been purchased by such notable people as Miley Cyrus, Snoop Dogg, Robin Thicke, Seth Rogen, and Iggy Azalea, among others. This sale will offer a major work by the artist, “A scene with Jack Nicholson, Twiggy, Mr. Monopoly, and Bob Dylan,” 2011, with an estimate of $20,000-30,000. Other Monopoly works include “A portrait of Mr. Monopoly,” estimated $10,000-15,000, and “Jack Nicholson,” estimated $4,000-6,000.
A highlighted work from the selection of ceramics is a studio tile wall assemblage by Doyle Lane (1923-2002). Lane was one of the few African American ceramicists working in mid-century Los Angeles. A master of glazes, his eye-catching colors and gentle forms possess a life and order all their own. His glazes were applied in a thick layer to the tile and fired until the edges would burn and blacken, rendering a unique texture and color onto the tiles. Though known and loved by the collectors and architects who commissioned him during his lifetime, Lane’s work, and the work of other African American ceramicists, has mostly been left out of the narrative of California post-war ceramics. Moran’s is pleased to offer this studio tile wall assemblage with an estimate of $15,000-25,000. Also, by Lane will be a speckled blue glaze ceramic “Weed Pot,” circa 1962-1976, with a $4,000-6,000 estimate.
Representing female artists in the sale is Mernet Larsen and Alice Baber. “Handshake,” 2011, is by the American artist, Mernet Larsen (b. 1940). Larsen is known for idiosyncratic, disorienting narrative paintings depicting highly abstracted, parallel worlds of enigmatic and mundane scenarios. This paramount work by the artist carries an estimate of $15,000-20,000. Moran’s is pleased to, once again, present a work by one of the major female figures of the Abstract Expressionist movement, Alice Baber (1928-1982). In 2023, the auction house continued to achieve phenomenal results for the artist—including her top three world auction records! Estimated at $4,000-6,000, this piece, Untitled, 1978, will offer another opportunity for collectors to own one of Baber’s visceral works.
For decorative art and furniture, the highlights include a Papa Bear chair and ottoman by the Danish furniture designer, Hans Wegner, estimated $7,000-9,000, and a stunning “Ritagli” iridescent glass vase for Venini by Fulvio Bianconi with a $2,000-3,000 estimate. There will also be five lots of folk art by Carl McKenzie. The selection of furniture will include pieces by Isamu Noguchi, Lou Hodges, Charles-Edouard “Le Corbusier” Jeanneret, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and the notable female mid-century designer, Grete Jalk.
— Brenda Smith, John Moran Auctioneers
Lot 15: Imogen Cunningham (1883-1976), “Two Callas” $292,100
“One of rarest works presented will be a black graffiti sketchbook dubbed “the Bible,” circa 1995. This invaluable ensemble of artwork features 118 pages and 236 tags by various artists representing crews from San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York.”
Upcoming Auctions
John Moran Auctioneers is continuing their 2024 lineup with the Studio Decorative Art & Jewelry Online auction, Tuesday, February 6th, followed by the Art of the American West Online sale, Wednesday, February 7th. Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming auctions so you don’t miss out on the action, and the treasures!
Studio Decorative Art & Jewelry Online: Tues., Feb. 6th | 10:00 am PDT
Art of the American West Online: Wednesday, February 7th | 12:00 pm PDT
Art + Design: Tuesday, February 27th | 12:00 pm PDT
Art of the American West: Tuesday, March 12th | 12:00 pm PDT
The Traditional Collector: Tuesday, March 26th | 12:00 pm PDT
For upcoming highlights, online catalogues, and more information on these sales, visit Moran’s website: www.johnmoran.com and follow us on social media: @johnmoran_auctioneers. Along with our website, bidding is now available online via Moran’s new mobile app, Moran Mobile, available on both iOS and Android operating systems. You may also choose to bid by phone or absentee.
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