Bonhams Announces World’s First Auction of Iraqi Modernism

posted on: Apr 13, 2015

Bonhams has announced that it will hold the world’s first auction of Iraqi modernism on April 21 at its New Bond Street saleroom in London. Titled “A Century of Iraqi Modernism,’’ the sale will showcase the major Iraqi artists and artistic movements of the 20th century, making it the first of its kind anywhere in the world.

According to Dr. Nada Shabout, Professor of Art History and the Director of the Contemporary Arab and Muslim Studies Initiative at the University of Texas, the collection testifies to the creativity and innovation of modern Iraqi artists. “The works present examples of historical trajectories that were dominant in setting the rhythms of modern Iraqi art throughout the 20th century, said Dr. Shabout.”

 

Highlights of the sale include “Lamea” (1949) by Jewad Selim (1919-1961), a portrait of the celebrated Iraqi poet and academic Lamea Abbas Amara (estimate: £60,000-100,000); “Cubist Cockerel” (1955) by Shakir Hassan Al-Said (1925-2004), a student of Jewad Selim (estimate: £25,000 – 35,000); and “Still Life” (1941) by Mohammad ‘Hajji’ Selim (1883-1941), the father of Jewad Selim (estimate: £30,000-40,000)

Nima Sagharchi, Head of Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art at Bonhams, said that Iraq has been one of the most creatively fertile areas in the region. “It is important for the international market to recognise the achievements that Iraqi art has made, despite the difficult circumstances the country has faced. It is hoped that our auction, in bringing together some of the most important works from this period, will lead to the emergence of a new perspective on the contemporary cultural history in Iraq,” said Sagharchi.

Source: www.blouinartinfo.com