Alex Colville, "Dog and Bridge," 1976
acrylic polymer emulsion on board, 35.5" x 35.5" (sold for $2,401,250)
Who knew? Like everything else, the usual spring and fall auction seasons were thrown into confusion by COVID-19. But auction houses were generally nimble, offering versatile responses that included upgraded online presentations. Successful sales followed, even with limited in-person previews. I actually had only two site previews, both in Calgary.
Waddington’s Canadian Fine Art, Toronto
In Toronto, Waddington’s Discovery auction – a mixed selection of art in mid-March – did well overall, with a great early authentic Norval Morrisseau painting, Sea Otter Catching Salmon, selling for $5,700. The online bidding was consistent for the best artworks.
Norval Morrisseau, "Sea Otter Catching Salmon," no date
acrylic on brown paper, 30" x 23" (sold for $5,700)
Levis Fine Art, Calgary
Levis held the first live sale of the year on April 19, with previews by appointment only. Online bidding was busy and at one point reportedly reached some 300 bids per minute. It added up to a strong sale that set a number of records. Outstanding was Alex Janvier’s Birds of China, which sold for $25,740. His art continues to gain ground across Canada, as it should.
Alex Janvier, "Birds of China," 1985
acrylic on canvas, 48" x 36" (sold for $25,740)
Cowley Abbott, Toronto
In Toronto, Cowley Abbott’s online art auction in early March was paused due to the lockdown. Bidding reopened in early April and the sale went well. “Bidding and prices, were strong," Cowley Abbott said at the time. "The sale outperformed the 2019 version of the sale.”
Heffel, Toronto
The overall results for Heffel’s online 100 Years of the Group of Seven sale in April were also strong.
Hodgins Art Auctions, Calgary
Interestingly, Hodgins reported that the COVID-19 shutdown saw record numbers of online registrants, new price records and an overall strengthening of prices. After a preview by appointment only, solid prices were recorded in the June 22 sale. One notable work was Ted Godwin’s Still Fall, 1991, from his Kenauk series, which nearly doubled estimates by selling for $27,000.
Ted Godwin, "Still Fall (Kenauk Series)," 2001
oil on canvas, 47" x 64" (sold for $27,000)
As mid-year approached, it seemed the sales may have been helped by stay-at-home restrictions, which let people enjoy things they had little time for previously. The auction houses sounded positive and noted an increase in online bidding. I noticed changes in online platforms, mostly related to bid accuracy and image viewing. The dominant sense was that businesses were overcoming adversity.
Most spring live sales were postponed until September, with two exceptions.
BYDealers, Montreal
Normally, BYDealers (an association of private Canadian art dealers and galleries) would have previewed a selection of post-war and contemporary art in Toronto during the regular spring auction season. However, even without the preview, the June 18 sale, proved a successful venture with strong bids for great pieces. A standout was Serge Lemoyne’s Forum stellaire, 1976. The large, lively painting sold for $72,000.
Serge Lemoyne, "Forum Stellaire," 1976
acrylic on canvas, 84" x 65.75" (sold for $72,000)
Before and after this sale, BYDealers conducted some member gallery sales online, each on behalf of an individual gallery and its inventory. These events were reasonably successful and helped boost sales when galleries were essentially closed.
Heffel, Toronto
Heffel’s live Toronto sale went ahead on July 15. In spite of the heat and humidity, previews were well attended, by appointment, in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. The sale had a limited live audience. The online streaming was well produced with good lighting, easy viewing and no time delays. Upgrades to the auction’s technological support was noticeable – and commendable, considering the times.
Heffel's Post-War Contemporary sale picked up energy from the start. Bidders were active on almost every lot, buying within estimate or above. It was exciting as the Heffel brothers solicited phone bids and floor bids while also monitoring online bidding.
The painting I monitored closely was Alex Colville’s Dog and Bridge, 1976. It sold at $2.4 million. I’ve known this painting for many years, and always thought it was brilliant. Finally, Colville is getting real attention for his incredible art.
Another highlight was a small, untitled Joan Mitchell triptych, sold by Edmonton dealer Douglas Udell many years ago. This absolute gem came to sale at the right time, as Mitchell’s work is finally getting the attention it deserves. It sold for almost $1.2 million. In general, the Heffel sale was a success with positive results for Contemporary works, and reasonable sales of Canadian Impressionist and Modern Art.
Joan Mitchell, "Untitled," triptych, no date
oil on canvas, 13" x 27.25" (sold for $1,171,250)
In the fall, two catalogues for live sales in Toronto arrived on my desk. Both Waddington’s and Cowley Abbott were open for previews by appointment. Of course, by now, new protocols for COVID-19 were in effect.
Waddington’s Canadian Fine Art, Toronto
First off the mark was Waddington’s with prominent Western Canadian contemporary art from a Calgary collection, which prompted me to watch closely.
Overall, the sale, which featured 73 lots, was reasonably strong in quality. Viewing online, I noticed some stumbles. The presentation of the sale on YouTube was one factor. As well, bidding was done through a third party, the Invaluable auction service. Delays between the two were noticeable and caused obvious concern for auctioneer Duncan McLean. I was bidding by phone, so knew exactly where I stood, but the delay was disturbing.
Nevertheless, the sale was successful throughout and achieved some strong results.
William Perehudoff, "Nanai, No. 4," 1969
acrylic on canvas, 50" x 55" (sold for $66,000)
Of note was William Perehudoff’s Nanai No. 4, 1969, part of the Calgary collection. It sold for $66,000. Another was an early Kenneth Lochhead painting, The Burial, 1953. This small work by Lochhead, a member of the Regina Five, sold for $16,800. It’s a rare and wonderful example of work that predated his abstraction of the 1960s.
Kenneth Campbell Lochhead, "The Burial," 1953
oil on canvas, 16" x 24" (sold for $16,800)
Cowley Abbott, Toronto
The Toronto preview for the Cowley Abbott sale at the Four Seasons Hotel was well attended. The live audience rallied against phone and online bidding. The sales platform and online presentation were exact, as was Robert Cowley as auctioneer. The sale of 92 works included some excellent results.
David Milne, "Fox Hill on a Rainy Day (Boston Corners)," 1920
watercolour, 15.25" x 22.25" (sold for $82,600)
David Milne’s 1920 painting, Fox Hill on a Rainy Day (Boston Corners), sold well at $82,600. Jean McEwen’s Tableaux sans paroles #3, 1973, is an evocative smaller work that features rich colour. McEwen experimented in the 1970s, often with beautiful results. It sold for $59,000.
Jean McEwen, "Tableaux sans paroles #3," 1973
oil on canvas, 40" x 40" (sold for $59,000)
The sale’s surprise was a 20th century carved chest by an unknown Northwest Coast artist. It was stunning, and several bidders recognized the quality. It sold for just over $14,000. ■
Unkown Artist, "20th Century Carved Chest," no date
cedar, 10.5" x 38" x 19.25" (sold for $14,160)
All prices include the buyer’s premium unless otherwise noted. Images are courtesy of the respective auction houses.
Year-end auctions to follow:
Levis Fine Art, Calgary: Nov. 1, a live catalogue sale
Hodgins Art Auctions, Calgary: Nov. 30, a live catalogue sale
Heffel Fine Art, Canadian Art, Toronto: Dec. 2, a live catalogue sale
Cowley Abbott, Toronto: Dec. 3, a live catalogue sale
Waddington's Canadian Fine Art: Dec. 5 - 10, an online sale
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