The month of April heralds not just the arrival of spring but also several long-awaited auctions. This year, Bukowskis' Contemporary Art & Design sale offers works by renowned artists and designers such as Ulla Wiggen, Karin Mamma Andersson, Ola Billgren, Mats Theselius and Ettore Sottsass, along with the spring edition of Important Timepieces – an auction dedicated to the most desirable and exclusive collector's watches.
One of the highlights of the spring auctions is Mamma Andersson's Objekt – a characteristic painting that visibly embodies the artist's sense of dreaminess and mystery. Mamma Andersson is known for her unique style of painting that mixes abstraction with realism, and Objekt is no exception. The work was created in early 2000, a period in which she produced some of her best-known paintings. Her pieces depict subjects such as vivid interiors, naked landscapes and scenes from everyday life. In Objekt, she depicts a dramatic, dark landscape, in stark contrast with a warm family scene. In the foreground is a cherry blossom branch, a Japanese symbol representing the transience of life and the need to appreciate its beauty while there is still time.
Another sought-after artist featured in the catalogue is Ulla Wiggen. Her work Sändare is an abstract painting dated 1968, when she was working as an assistant to the artist Öyvind Fahlström in New York. Ulla Wiggen's debut exhibition took place in 1968 at Galerie Prisma in Stockholm, and it was during this period that she first entered the art world and began to depict electronic components and circuit boards in her paintings. Ulla Wiggen was a pioneer in her field, and the fact that Sändare is now up for auction is a unique opportunity for collectors and art lovers worldwide.
Another Swedish artist represented in the auction is Ola Billgren, known for his surrealist works and his major influence in the art world of his era. His work Painting, from 1968-69, is a clear reflection of how the artist's interest in film influenced his way of composing his works, with oblique perspectives and close-ups that suggest the presence of people. It is a unique work that captures the moment and combines the historical with the contemporary, making it a perfect addition to an art collection.
In addition to various sought-after works of art, there are also a number of design objects on offer on April 26. One of the most interesting is the Hommage à Sigurd Lewerentz armchair by furniture designer Mats Theselius, created as a tribute to the architect Sigurd Lewerentz. The inspiration for the armchair came from the Petri Church in Klippan, designed by the architect and built from 1962-66. The copper plate that covers the seat of the armchair is taken from the church, the textile that adorns the seat is inspired by the pattern of the church floor, and the ebony armrests are an interpretation of the church's windows.
The Tahiti table lamp by Ettore Sottsass is another eye-catching design classic featured in the spring auctions at Bukowskis. The playful design shows traces of the Italian architect, designer and artist's history as an employee at the typewriter manufacturer Olivetti, where he created innovative and colorful products that broke with the traditional grey and sterile office environment. Ettore Sottsass worked as an architect and designer throughout his life, and his works have become part of permanent collections at several of the world's most prestigious museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. For design enthusiasts, Tahiti is a colorful and playful addition to the desktop – a design that mimics the silhouette of a duck with a yellow body and a pink head.
Last but not least, the Important Timepieces sale will feature exceptional collectible watches. As usual, the spring auction offers a well-curated mix of sought-after rarities, vintage classics and modern masterpieces. Among the latter is the watchmaker Jean Dunand, whose name is a tribute to the Swiss artist and designer Jean Dunand, who was famous for his distinctive Art Deco design. The Palace watch on sale on April 26 is inspired by Art Deco, specifically the Eiffel Tower. It was first shown at the 2010 Art Basel fair, where it was received as one of the major highlights of the event.
Bukowskis' auctions Contemporary Art & Design and Important Timepieces will be held on April 26 in Stockholm. Viewings take place at Berzelii Park 1 between April 21 and 25.
