A contemporary art collection to sell at Phillips New York in May. Left to right: Ed Ruscha, Alighiero Boetti, Andreas Gursky, Rudolf Stingel and Brice Marden.
Photo by Joshua White/JWPictures.com | Image courtesy of Phillips/Phillips.com

Phillips will sell a $35-million contemporary art collection at its New York auction house this May, featuring works by artists such as Alighiero Boetti, John Chamberlain, Brice Marden, Giuseppe Penone, Ed Ruscha, and Robert Ryman. The consignment represents a coup for the house and a sign of the clout and art world connections of new chairman and CEO Edward Dolman. The longtime Christie’s CEO took over the lead role at Phillips this past summer (see Edward Dolman Takes the Helm at Phillips). The house has salesrooms in New York and London and plans to expand to Hong Kong (see Phillips Expanding Auctions to Hong Kong).

Though Phillips typically holds much smaller contemporary art sales than Sotheby’s and Christie’s, it has nonetheless carved out a niche and become well known for selling art by younger artists like Alex Israel, Oscar Murillo, and Sterling Ruby (see Young Artists All the Rage at Phillips Sale).

The consignors were not identified, but the New York Times reports that insiders say they are financier Laurence Lebowitz and his wife Naomi Aberly, a fundraiser for Democrats.

In all, there are more than 100 works that will be spread across numerous sales. The priciest works will go on the block in the contemporary art evening sale on May 14.

Ed Ruscha Porch Crop (2001) is estimated at $1.8–2.5 million
Photo: Courtesy Phillips.

Among the highlights are Ruscha’s Porch Crop (2001), which is estimated at $2–$3 million, and Marden’s Elements (Hydra), 1999-2001, which is estimated at $8–12 million.

Also on offer is Ryman’s painting Untitled (Jan. Feb. March), 1959, tagged at up to $1 million, Boetti’s Mappa (Purple) (1983) which is expected to bring $1.5–$2.5 million, and Penone’s Idee di Pietra (2003-07), estimated at $1.5–$2.5 million.

Alighiero Boetti Mappa (Purple) (1983) is estimated at $1.5–2 million.
Photo: Courtesy Phillips.

Brice Marden Elements (Hydra) (1999-2000/2001) is estimated at $8–12 million.
Photo: Courtesy Phillips.