Ahlers & Ogletree – Modernism & African American Art
February 20th, 2025 at 10am
AandOauctions.com
1788 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30318

ATLANTA — A 1990 oil and collage on canvas painting by Benny Andrews (1930-2006) from the artist’s “America Series,” a 1907 photogravure on tissue by Alfred Stieglitz (American, 1864-1946) and a 1965 oil on canvas abstract painting signed by Krishen Khanna (Indian/Pakistani, b 1925), are a few of the expected headliners in Ahlers & Ogletree’s Modernism, photography & African American art auction planned for Thursday, February 20, online and live in the firm’s gallery.

The auction will feature a selection of works from renowned artists across multiple disciplines, more than 400 lots in all. The sale includes significant paintings and collages, photography, sculptures and textile art from both Twentieth Century visionaries as well as contemporary masters, starting promptly at 10 am. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted.

The oil and collage on canvas by Benny Andrews from 1990 titled simply “Men,” is signed and dated lower center and to verso. The work measures 36 by 24 inches (canvas) and should bring $50/80,000. Andrews was an African American artist, activist and educator, known for his expressive, figurative paintings that incorporated collaged fabric and other materials.

The small-format photogravure on Japanese tissue paper mounted on board by Alfred Stieglitz, titled “The Steerage,” is pencil-signed, titled and dated lower left, with a handwritten exhibition label (“An American Place, April 1937”) by Stieglitz. This work was exhibited at Stieglitz’s gallery and is expected to sell for $35/50,000. Stieglitz was a noted photographer and Modern art promoter.

The untitled oil on canvas abstract figural painting by Krishen Khanna is signed (as “K Khanna, 65”) lower left and signed and dated to verso. It’s impressive at 71 inches tall by 26¾ inches wide (canvas) and has an estimate of $20/30,000. Khanna is a self-taught artist whose abstracted figurative artworks depict street scenes of the country and showcase Indian idioms and human values.

A twisted metallic threads on canvas tapestry by Sheila Hicks (American/French, b 1934), titled “Macro Broderie,” 48 by 50 inches unfraemd with a gallery label for Suzy Langlois to verso, should hit $20/30,000. Hicks is known for her innovative and experimental weavings and sculptural textile art that incorporates distinctive colors, natural materials and personal narratives.

There are five studio pottery vessels in the auction by the noted potter Claude Conover (American, 1907-1994), with all but one carrying an estimate of $5/7,000. An example is a hand-built, glazed stoneware vessel produced in the last quarter of the Twentieth Century titled “Cbesah.” The piece is artist-signed and titled to the underside and stands 22½ inches in height by 15¼ inches in diameter.

An untitled (Reclining Nude Woman) acrylic on canvas by Steve Penley (b 1964), signed lower right and monumental at 47¾ by 81¾ inches (canvas), is expected to change hands for $8/12,000. Penley is known for abstract figural works and marine paintings.

An untitled (Geometric Mosaic) glass on cement board mosaic panel, unsigned but rendered circa 1958 by Jerome (American, 1920-2019) and Evelyn Ackerman (American, 1924-2012), measuring 47½ by 11¾ inches (less the frame), should finish at $8/12,000. Both artists were sculptors, but Evelyn was also into industrial design, carving, tapestry, mosaics, textiles and home furnishing.

A 1988 collage and mixed media monoprint diptych on paper by Sam Gilliam (American, 1933-2022), titled “For Romare #9,” with both pieces artist-signed and the larger sheet 34½ by 24¾ inches could command $6/8,000. Gilliam was an African American abstract painter, sculptor and arts educator.

An untitled (Cat) oil on panel signed by Henry Lawrence Faulkner (American, 1924-1981), signed lower right and housed in an original frame by the artist has an estimate of $5/7,000. Faulkner was an American artist and poet known for his rebellious spirit, his wildly colorful oil paintings and his eccentric acts.

An acrylic and mixed media on canvas by Wadsworth A. Jarrell (American, b 1929), titled “Jockey,” circa second half Twentieth Century, signed lower right and 24 inches square (minus the frame) is estimated at $3/6,000. Jarrell is an American painter, sculptor and printmaker.

A set of six Danish Modern mid Twentieth Century oak and teak dining chairs by Hans Wegner (Danish, 1914-2007) for Carl Hansen & Son (Danish, founded 1907), is expected to gavel for $3/5,000. Each Model CH33 chair has a curving crest rail and rises on splayed tapered legs with stretchers.

An undated turned orangewood donut bowl by Ed Moulthrop (1916-2003), signed with the artist’s cipher and wood type to the underside, 7½ inches in diameter, should ring up $1,2/2,400.

Moulthrop was a highly respected architect and professor, but he is probably best known as a wood-turning artist whose art helped transform the genre into a widely respected art form.

A preview will be conduced on Monday, February 17, through Wednesday, February 19, from 10 am to 5 pm Eastern time, in the Ahlers & Ogletree gallery at 1788 Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard Northwest. A preview reception will take place on Tuesday, February 18, from 5-8 pm. No appointment is necessary. The public is invited. Internet bidding is available on www.bid.aandoauctions.com, LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable and Bidsquare. For information, 404-869-2478 or email consign@aandoauctions.com.

Benny Andrews ‘Men (From the American Series)’
Claude Conover, ‘Alcalcho’, Studio Pottery Vessel
1963 Mario Giacomelli, ‘Scanno No. 57’ Silver Gelatin
Live auctions begin at 10:00 AM ET
Visit AandOauctions.com to register and bid online
GAL# AU004282
AandOauctions.com
404.869.2478 | info@AandOauctions.com 1788 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30318