John Moran Auctioneers is pleased to present The Collection of Ralph & Sheila Pickett in our upcoming August 13th, Art + Design Auction. Ralph and Sheila were lifelong Bay Area art collectors and former board members of the Institute of Contemporary Art, San Jose, CA (ICA). A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this collection will go to benefit the Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose.
Click here to view the entire Ralph & Sheila Pickett Collection
Ralph & Sheila Pickett
Ralph and Sheila Pickett had a consuming interest in art. They acquired their first piece at an auction on Long Island in 1960, shortly after they were married. Initially, they were attracted by color and abstract works. From the 1960s through the 1970s, most of the work they collected were abstract prints and multiples by known modern artists. Most of these works were acquired through the Associated American Artists catalog of prints and auctions.
In the 1980s, their growing collection reflected a shift to contemporary art and their increased engagement in the San Jose art scene. They docented at the San Jose Museum of Art, and regularly attended art lectures and receptions at San Jose State University School of Art and Design, the Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose, Fred Spratt Gallery, and other local galleries. They became increasingly interested in the process of making art and the medium itself. They found that unique pieces presented an opportunity for a more personal experience.
Emil Lukas (b. 1964) "Every Seven Years, #0743" 2002, $8,000-12,000
By the 1990s, Ralph and Sheila had immersed themselves in the San Francisco Bay Area art community and they were able to travel more. Their travels usually centered around an area’s art scene and included Whitney, Venice and other Biennales, Documentas in Kasel, the Munster Sculpture Fair in Germany, Art Basel, as well as Paris, Barcelona, Havana, and many US cities including Los Angeles, New York and Miami. With increased exposure to contemporary art around the world, they found themselves responding to more and more unusual and challenging work. The concept (idea) was most compelling. They noted their eye changed. They found areas (sometimes quirky) that consistently interested them – e.g., fresh views of the human condition, new materials, unusual subject matter and/or processes, and humor.
Joan Miró (1893-1983) Untitled, for "Review XXe Siecle, no. 31," 1968, $5,000-7,000
Ralph and Sheila loved the art community – locally and globally. And they loved the Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose most all. They both were dedicated board members for many years and served in various leadership roles during that time. Despite their tremendous contributions, they would say they got more than they gave. In recognition of the many ways this wonderful organization enriched their lives, a portion of the proceeds will be dedicated to the Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose.
Emil Lukas (b. 1964) "The Last Rose of Summer," 1995, $3,000-5,000
Additional Highlights From The Collection of Ralph and Sheila Pickett
