Upcoming auction to feature cutting-edge contemporary art

Saffronarts upcoming Summer Online Auction will feature a selection of contemporary South Asian art and important works from Indias finest modernists.

Scheduled to take place on June 6 and 7, the auction also includes works of art from Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in a bid to build a strong platform for contemporary art from the subcontinent.

Featuring themes of identity, migration and socio-economic issues, highlights from the contemporary section include works by Valay Shende (Untitled, Rs 30-35 lakh) following his highly successful public sculpture, "Dabbawala," installed at Haji Ali in Mumbai; Tayeba Begum Lipi (Untitled, Rs 3.8-5.1 lakh), one of Bangladesh's foremost contemporary artists, whose work was recently shown at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Michigan; and Subodh Gupta whose "Sat Samunder Par" (9), (Rs 60-80 lakh) belongs to a series of large-scale works addressing the phenomenon of migration in modern times.

"Saffronart's leadership in the contemporary South Asian art space is reflected in the meticulous research, sourcing of material and exciting presentation of the lots in the catalogue. We are excited to be able to preview this alongside works of Indian Modernism in our flagship online summer sale," Abha Housego, Head of Saffronart UK, informed IANS.

The sale features key works of modern Indian art from eminent private collections, including "Falling Figure" by Tyeb Mehta (Rs 2-3 crore), offered by the artist's daughter. The work is one of the earliest of what became a seminal series in his oeuvre. Another "Falling Figure" was sold by Saffronart in February 2017 for Rs 6 crore, highlighting the significance of this series.

The auction will take place on www.saffronart.com and is preceded by viewings of select lots in New York, London, New Delhi and Mumbai. The viewing in Delhi opened on May 8 and will continue till June 7 at Saffronart gallery in The Claridges here. The Mumbai viewing will open on May 18 and will continue till June 7 at Saffronart gallery in Appasaheb Marathe Marg, Prabhadevi.

Saffronart is a platform for fine art and collectibles with years of experience in auctions. A global company with deep Indian roots, Saffronart was founded in 2000 and is today a strong and successful international auction house.

--IANS

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