Record N13.5m for Ben Enwonwu at Lagos auction

Was at the auction preview exhibition at Terra Kulture auction on Tuesday, May 3 and also in the hall was none other than Jossy Ajiboye (above), legendary cartoonist of Daily Times fame. Bolanle Austen-Peters introduced us. It was a lovely afternoon. I'd earlier been to Quintessence to catch the preview of Alimi Adewale's forthcoming exhibition, 'Sublime'. Had an interesting chat with the artist and Quintessence curator Moses Ohiomokhare. Then at Terra Kulture, spent some time viewing the lots and chatting with Mr. Ajiboye, who can hold a conversation.

He was not at last night's auction, where the big story was this ink on paper work, 'Untitled' (1980) from the Dance Series by Ben Enwonwu, which broke its estimate of 8 to 9 million naira to be sold to a Nigerian female bidder for N13.5millon, shattering the previous Lagos record for a Bruce Onobrakepa piece.

The Enwonwu bidder kept her cool as the hall applauded. By my count, she carted off another 8 pieces by the end of bidding, including the following:

• 'Dance to Enchanting Song Panel IX' by Bruce Onobrakpeya (N800,000).


• 'Face to Face' by Damola Adepoju (N200,000).


• 'Emperor Sundiatta's Daughter' by Moyo Ogundipe (N800,000).


• 'Dancer' by Nyemike Onwuka (N650.000).


• 'Divine Visitation' by Kolade Oshinowo (N2.2m).


• 'Texture Textile Feeling' by Ndidi Dike (N1m).


• 'Olumo Rock Abeokuta' by Ufuoma Onobrakpeya (N350.000).

Among her haul, Jossy Ajiboye's 'Arugba', sold for N350,000. Prices will be adjusted upwards slightly when the Buyer's premium is added by the auction complany.

Jossy Ajiboye photo by MW.

Auction Season

It's auction season in Lagos, with over 200 art pieces by some of the most significant visual artists this side of the hemisphere going under the hammer in major auctions by Terra Kulture and ArtHouse Contemporary in the next few days.

Left is 'Face' by Kainebi Osahenye, one of 113 pieces of modern and contemporary African art on auction at Terra Kulture tomorrow. Leading collector, Yemisi Shyllon of OYASAF, is the auctioneer.

Preview exhibition began yesterday at the venue, perhaps the premier arts centre in Lagos. Preview exhibition continues all of today, right up to 1pm tomorrow. View all 113 lots online.

Terra Kulture Auction: 5pm, Wednesday May 4 - Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Here's 'Home Sweet Home' by Abiodun Olaku, one of 100 lots set to go to the highest bidder in ArtHouse Contemporary's sixth auction. Demas Nwoko's 'The Wise Man' wood sculpture went for a whopping N9 million at their last auction, in November 2010. There was a hush in the hall as the bidding went up to 6m, 7m, 8m - and when the hammer went down, we just had to clap. Nwoko himself was there, and showed no reaction as far as I could see. All in a day's work to him I guess.

Preview exhibition for the latest ArtHouse Contemporary Auction is Civic Centre, Lagos on May 6 to 8. Preview extends to 10am and goes on till 1pm on May 9, the auction date. See the lots online.

ArtHouse Contemporary Auction: 6pm, Monday May 9 - Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos.