Yinka Shonibare, Man On Unicycle, 2005. Unicycle, life-size mannequin

Phillips de Pury & Company announced highlights from the forthcoming New York auction AFRICA on Saturday 15 May 2010, including works of contemporary art, photographs, and editions which reflect the spirit of the continent and its global impact, as expressed by African and non-African artists from around the world. 

The sale is accompanied by a special edition catalogue, an art and lifestyle magazine which includes interviews with artists, curators and collectors, art world news and more. Featured editorial includes an inside look at the technicolor dreamlike world of Yinka Shonibare MBE; an interview with the adventurous collector, Monique Barbier-Mueller; a conversation between Youssef Nabil and Karen Wright; a feature on Jakob Boeskov on Nollywood; and an interview with the notorious South African artist Kendell Geers.

Contemporary Art
The sale features a selection of works by some of the most important contemporary artists working today. They represent both emerging and established artists from across the continent and abroad. Highlights include seminal sculptural pieces by internationally renowned artists, including Yinka Shonibare's Man on Unicycle, 2005, estimated at $80,000 - 120,000 and Satch Hoyt's Rimology, 2009, estimated at $40,000 - 60,000. Shonibare's work, an iconic example of his trademark use of Dutch wax fabric to expose a cultural fallacy, is among his most celebrated objects. Hoyt's sculpture is the featured Object Lesson in the auction catalogue, a piece which explores issues of consumerism and modern culture.

From a selection of important works by Chéri Samba, J'aime la Couleur, a self-portrait from 2007 estimated at $60,000 - 80,000, is one of his most colorful paintings in acrylic and glitter on canvas. Another important work in the sale, William Kentridge's Bicycle Kick, 2009-2010, is estimated at $50,000 - 70,000. Also being featured is Mickalene Thomas's MS. PU-SE-KAT #1, 2003 estimated at $15,000 - 20,000, an iconic piece by the artist.

Seydou Keita, Untitled, 1949-1951. Gelatin silver print, printed 1998. Estimate: $9,000-12,000.

Photography
The sale proudly features important contemporary photographs including Renee Cox's Yo Mama's Last Supper, 1996, estimated at $30,000 - $50,000; Carrie Mae Weems' You Became Mammie, Mama, Mother, Then, Yes, Confident-Ha / Descending the Throne You Became Foot Soldier & Cook from From Here I Saw What Happened and I Cried, 1995, estimated at $12,000 - $18,000; Zwelethu Mthethwa's Untitled from Sugar Cane Series, 2003, estimated at $10,000 - $15,000 and Sebastiäo Salgado's Lake Faguibine, Mali from Africa, 1985, estimated at $9,000 - $12,000. A selection of works by Malick Sidibé capture the vitality and excitement of Malian youth in the 1960s. Also included is a strong selection of photographs by Seydou Këita and Ernst Haas.

Editions
In Entropia-Construction, 2005 estimated at $9,000 - $12,000, Julie Mehretu incorporates Chine collé with lithographic and screenprint techniques to create a semi-abstract and dimensional composition, comprised of multi-layered deconstructed elements from maps and architectural plans. The result is a swirling and dynamic image, evocative of the chaos and energy of modern life. In the expressive narrative etchings Series of Ten, 2004, estimated at $3,500 - $4,000 and Siestog, 2003, estimated at $1,400 - $1,800 South African artist Penny Siopis renders various emotive states in colorful tones. Her work is autobiographical and intimate and yet conveys a universal sensibility and beauty. LA based American artist Sanford Biggers merges iconic popular images in traditional materials in the large scale woodcut Afropick, 2005 estimated at $6,000 - $8,000. His work makes bold statements in a vernacular visual language. Internationally acclaimed South African artist William Kentridge's graphic work is well represented in AFRICA. From the contemplative landscape etchings River Swing and Vaal river Landscape, 2001, estimated at $2,000 - $3,000 to the epic Learning the Flute, 2003, estimated at $25,000 - $35,000 (another example from the edition is currently on display at the Museum of Modern Art in New York). In Stereopticon Suite, six photogravures, 2007, estimated at $15,000 - $20,000, Kentridge merges his interest in the many forms of illusion: drawing, theatre and optics.

Works from the Collection of Jean Pigozzi
The auction will showcase twenty-one works from the renowned collection of Jean Pigozzi. Highlights from this selection include George Lilanga Di Nyama's Twins Have One Body, Two Head, They Carry Luggage it is Easy and Blanced, ("MAPACHA WAWILI...") estimated at $15,000 - 20,000; John Goba's Hunter's Zone estimated at $8,000 - 10,000; and Seydou Keïta's Untitled, 1941 - 1951 $9,000 - 12,000. Pigozzi's astute eye and decades of collecting have built one the most illustrious and documented collections of contemporary African art in the world.

FIFA World Cup South Africa
Phillips de Pury & Company will present thirteen original works from the Official Art Edition 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. The contributing artists are Marlene Dumas, William Kentridge, Zhong Biao, Hassan Musa, Isolde Krams, Romero Britto, Cameron Platter, Kay Hassan, Peter Eastman, Charles Fazzino, Kendell Geers, Lilanga Art, and Soly Cissé.