Aljira, a Center for Contemporary has launched an online-only fine art auction via Paddle8 featuring the work of renowned contemporary artists, among them, Derrick Adams, Frank Bowling, Willie Cole, Chuck Close, Chitra Ganesh, Pat Lay, Mickalene Thomasand Adejoke Tugbyele.
View work now by clicking HERE. Minimum bids ranging from $600 to $40,000 – beginning online June 9, the auction closes June 24.
This exceptional selection of art work in various media—paintings, photographs, drawings, prints, and sculpture—has been generously donated by artists and collectors to benefit Aljira a nonprofit organization located in Newark’s downtown art district.
Artists featured in The Aljira Creating Tomorrow Paddle8 Auction are: Derrick Adams,
John Ahearn, Frank Bowling, Chuck Close, Willie Cole, Luis Cruz Azaceta, Victor
Davson, Chitra Ganesh, Sam Gilliam, Hank Willis Thomas, Pat Lay, Donald Locke, Hew Locke, David Salle, Miriam Schapiro, Mickalene Thomas, Denyse Thomasos, Adejoke Tugbyele, and Deborah Willis.
HIGHLIGHTS
Frank Bowling’s Green Tail Coat for Iona’s Sake, 1978, is one of three works by the artist in the auction. Sale of a Bowling painting of the same period exceeded record prices at a 2016 New York auction.
Best known for complex paintings made of rhinestones, acrylic and enamel, Mickalene Thomas’ depictions of African American women explore notions of black female celebrity and identity, romanticizing ideas of femininity and power.
A native of Newark, Willie Cole is best known for assembling and transforming ordinary domestic and used objects such as irons, ironing boards, high heeled shoes, hair dryers and other discarded appliances and hardware, into imaginative and powerful works of art and installations.
Adejoke Tugbyele, a NigerianAmerican, awardwinning artist and LGBT activist has two works in the auction, a sculpture, Flight to Revelation II, 2013 and a drawing, Reclined Nude, 2016. She boldly, yet delicately weaves complex ideas about race, gender, sexuality, spirituality and migration.
Artist Pat Lay donated her fired clay glaze sculpture, Untitled Mask #8, and a benefit print,
KB0953P, 2015, created on the occasion of her Aljira Bending the Grid: Myth, Memory and Android Dreams major survey 2016 exhibition. Lay speculates on the impact of artificial intelligence in the future, from computers to cyborgs to the yet tobe imagined.
The Aljira Creating Tomorrow Paddle8 Online Auction is a landmark event honoring artist and Aljira’s founding director, Victor L. Davson. After 33 years Davson is stepping down from the organization. Proceeds from sales of artwork help Aljira sustain groundbreaking exhibitions, career advancement programs for emerging and underrepresented artists, and transformative learning experiences for local youth.
On Thursday evening, June 23, 6–9pm. a special fundraising celebration at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, will be held to salute Victor Davson’s achievements and to ensure that Aljira’s acclaimed legacy of empowering artists, creating valuable community programs will continue to flourish.
