Here is a list of the 10 Things To See and Do During Frieze Week at Christie’s London.
1. PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF PAINT
The Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Auction showcases artists who pioneered new directions for the medium of paint, ranging from Sigmar Polke’s dotted raster technique to Gerhard Richter’s ‘Abstraktes Bild’ series and from Joan Mitchell to Kazuo Shiraga. The sale is led by a triptych by Jean-Michel Basquiat titled Four Big. This is followed by Thinking Italian, Christie’s annual auction dedicated to the pioneering spirit of Italian artists throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, which is highlighted by Alberto Burri and Lucio Fontana.
On View: Until 4 October 2019 Auctions: Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Auction | Thinking Italian | 4 October 2019
2. ART FOR TROPICAL FORESTS
Founded in 2002 by the eminent art dealer Ernst Beyeler, Art for Tropical Forests is dedicated to the protection and conservation of tropical forests worldwide. Christie’s will offer their support to the humanitarian ethos of Art for Tropical Forests with a stunning selection of contemporary works, which, in various ways, speak both directly and metaphorically to the planet’s diverse offerings. Artists include Ai Weiwei, Antony Gormley, Jeff Koons, Louise Lawler and Jonna Vasconcelos.
On View: Until 4 October 2019
Auction: Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Auction | 5 October 2019
3. ALL THINGS ITALIAN
Christie’s Thinking Italian auction series also includes Thinking Italian Design, a group of 80 lots that highlight the creative genius and artistic flair that emanated from Italy throughout the 20th century. The auction will present works by many of the leading architects and designers who shaped the Italian identity, including Carlo Mollino, Gio Ponti, Gino Sarfatti and Piero Fornasetti. Highlights are on view alongside the Thinking Italian Evening Auction.
On View: Until 4 October 2019 Auction: Thinking Italian Design | 16 October 2019
4. NEW TO CHRISTIE’S EVENING AUCTION
Paintings by icons of the 20th century are presented alongside some of the most sought-after contemporary artists, some of whom are new to Christie’s Evening Auction platform. Tschabalala Self’s work broke records in our June season and this season she is presented alongside Nathaniel Mary Quinn, Thomas Bayrle, Nicolas Party, Loie Hollowell and Thornton Dial.
On View: Until 4 October 2019Auction: Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Auction | 4 October 2019
5. JANE FONDA’S PERSONAL COLLECTION
Oscar-winning actress Jane Fonda has been a long-time collector and supporter of the American artist Thornton Dial. His 2002 work – Trophies (Doll Factory) is comprised of various-sized dolls, stuffed animals, plastic toys, oil, enamel and spray paint and is typical of his practice with a richly textured surface that pays homage to Jackson Pollock’s abstract expressionism. A self-taught artist born in rural Alabama, he started making art from repurposed objects in his back yard.
On View: Until 4 October 2019
Auction: Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Auction | 4 October 2019
6. WARHOL’S POP PORTRAITS – NEW YORK HIGHLIGHTS
The Collection of Richard L. Weisman, an eclectic blend of works that will be offered in Christie’s autumn sales in New York. Featuring important images of American icons and iconography by some of the 20th century’s greatest Pop artists, the Collection includes seminal works by Andy Warhol, James Rosenquist and Peter Beard who all became friends of the colourful collector.
On View: Until 4 October 2019
Auctions:
New York | November 6-13 | Picasso Ceramics Online
New York | November 13 | Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale
New York | November 14 | Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Sale
New York | November 20 | American Art
New York | November 20-21 | Latin American Art
London | Spring 2020 | Modern British Art
Spring 2020 | Photographs
7. ART FOR FUTURE
UniCredit has appointed Christie’s to manage the sale of its artworks from Austria, Germany and Italy. The proceeds will be primarily used to support the further roll-out of the group’s Social Impact Banking initiatives. The remaining balance will be dedicated to other relevant projects, including the support of young artists. The artworks will be offered at various Christie’s international salerooms across a range of marquee week sales in 2019 and 2020, with the first pieces being auctioned in London on 4 and 5 October as part of the Post-War & Contemporary Evening and Day Auctions alongside Thinking Italian, taking place during Frieze Week. The selection will include works by Gerard Richter, Yves Klein, Ernst Wilhelm Nay, Enrico Castellani, Sam Francis, Andrea Gursky and Nam June Paik among others.
On View: Until 4 October 2019 Auctions: Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Auction, 4 October 2019 | Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Auction, 5 October 2019
8. THE MATTHYS-COLLE COLLECTION
The selection of pieces being offered at Christie’s is highlighted with two works by Robert Mangold, Triangle Within a Circle dating from 1974, and acquired that year by Matthys-Colle in New York (estimate: £350,000-450,000, London, 4 October, illustrated below, right) and Four Squares Within a Circle from 1974, bought the following year in Brussels (estimate: £120,000-180,000, London, 5 October).
On View: Until 4 October 2019 Auctions: Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Auction, 4 October 2019 | Post-War and Contemporary Art Day Auction, 5 October 2019
9. ANTONY GORMLEY
Coinciding with a major survey exhibition at London’s Royal Academy of Arts, an early sculpture by Antony Gormley, Growth is on view in Christie’s galleries. Exhibited at Documenta 8, Kassel, in the year of its creation, Growth is a life-size vision of two conjoined bodies. It stems from the series of ‘Double Bodycase Works’ (1987–1989) – some of his most ambitious early sculptures.
On View: Until 4 October 2019Auction: Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Auction | 4 October 2019
10. CHRISTIE’S COFFEE BAR
Open daily, King Street After you’ve explored what’s on view in our King Street Galleries, sit down and recharge with a cup of tea or coffee served just as you like it by one of Christie’s baristas. The free coffee bar will remain open throughout the day.