There were impressive results at Bonhams' Modern & Contemporary African Art sale, which took place at the auction house's headquarters in London's New Bond Street on 22 March. A total of 67 works by important African artists of the 20th and 21st centuries came up for auction, including no less than six by the South African Irma Stern, whose painting Arab Priest (1945) had set a record for the artist back in 2011, going to a lucky bidder for £3 million at Bonhams.
See also: Irma Stern: A South African Superstar
This year's edition of the Modern & Contemporary African Art sale also ended with new world records. First and foremost, a record was set for Yusuf Adebayo Cameron Grillo (1934-2021), one of Nigeria's most important artists and a pioneer of post-colonial African art. Two works by Grillo, who died in 2021 as a result of Covid, went under the hammer: Blind Minstrel (sold for £189,300 including fees) and The Seventh Knot, from 1969, which set a new world record for the artist at £403,500 (including fees).
See also: 14 Black Artists Who Changed Art History
The important painting from 1969 reflects Grillo's Yoruba heritage. Visible in the piece are the blue tones favoured by the artist and the reference to Yoruba sculptures as a woman ties the traditional Yoruba headscarf, the Gele.
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"We are absolutely delighted with the results of today's sale and in particular to prove once again our impressive reputation for selling works by both Yusuf Grillo and Irma Stern. Grillo'sThe Seventh Knot was one of the finest works by the artist I've seen on the market, and so it is no surprise it captivated collectors and achieved a new world record price for the artist", commented Helene Love-Allotey, Bonhams Head of Sale, in a press release from the auction house.
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Another record price was achieved by Madonna & Child, the Manger by Grillo's contemporary and companion Uche Okeke, which found a new owner for £151,500 (including fees).
