Girl power at auction: Five works by female Contemporary artists at upcoming sales
30 March 2022 The Contemporary art is without a doubt one of the most dynamic parts areas of the art market. And works by female artists are currently receiving more interest than ever as the market readjusts to modern trends.
The Scottish artist Barbara Rae (b.1943) has an enviable reputation being a member of both the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Academy of Art. Her colourful compositions have a visual language all of their own which can be found in her paintings as well as her printed work. An example of the latter, a coloured etching titled Venus and jardiniere Coloured etching, is estimated at £400-600 at the Lyon & Turnbull sale. View the catalogue entry of this Barbara Rae print on thesaleroom.com.
Among the upcoming specialist auctions in this category is Lyon & Turnbull’s sale of Contemporary & Post-War Art on April 6. The sale includes numerous striking works by women artists, including some well known names. Here are five lots that caught our eye to give you a flavour of what’s on offer.
1. Alexandra Gardner still life
Recognised as one of Scotland's most accomplished painters, Alexandra Gardner (b.1946) is known for the observational quality of her work. On offer at the Lyon & Turnbull is Still life with black bottles and lemons, a signed oil on canvas measuring 19.5in (50cm) square. It is estimated at £600-800. View the catalogue entry of this Alexandra Gardner still life on thesaleroom.com.
2. Sheila Macnab Macmillan landscape
Sheila Macnab Macmillan (1928-2018) was the niece of Iain Macnab (1890-1967) who encouraged her to paint and then study under him in London. Having also trained as a geographer, she had specialist knowledge of land formation which she conveyed in her work. This untiled landscape is a 11.5in x 15in (29cm x 38cm) oil on canvas board. It is estimated at £400-600 at the Lyon & Turnbull sale. View the catalogue entry of this Sheila Macnab Macmillan landscape on thesaleroom.com.
3. Wilhelmina Barns-Graham abstract
A work by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham (1912-2004) is among the lots at the Lyon & Turnbull sale. The Scottish artist was based in St Ives for the better part of her career and richly coloured paintings of geometric forms are a strong feature of her oeuvre. Titled Confrontation III, this 8in (20cm) square acrylic on paper from 2002 is estimated at £1000-1500. View the catalogue entry of this Wilhelmina Barns-Graham abstract on thesaleroom.com.
4. Barbara Rae print
The Scottish artist Barbara Rae (b.1943) has an enviable reputation being a member of both the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Academy of Art. Her colourful compositions have a visual language all of their own which can be found in her paintings as well as her printed work. An example of the latter, a coloured etching titled Venus and jardiniere Coloured etching, is estimated at £400-600 at the Lyon & Turnbull sale. View the catalogue entry of this Barbara Rae print on thesaleroom.com.
5. Ethel Walker’s flowers and wine glasses
The Edinburgh-born painter Ethel Walker (b.1941) was the first woman member of the New English Art Club and produced a series of impressionistic works as well as decorative compositions. This painting of flowers with a decanter and wine glasses is something of a mix of both. The 12.5in x 13.5in (32cm x 34cm) oil on board is estimated at £600-800 at the Lyon & Turnbull sale. View the catalogue entry of this Ethel Walker still life on thesaleroom.com.
