Art lovers obtain more auction chances at Australian art collection

It is not often that art lovers have such an extended chance to obtain a slice of Australian history – however, as the comprehensive Australian art collection assembled by superannuation giant Cbus from 1992 to 2007 continues to be offered at auction, this is exactly what is happening.

Part III, dealing with Traditional and Modern Art – the second of three timed online auctions – is now on the Deutscher and Hackett website and ends from 7pm Tuesday August 16.

The first sale (live) on July 27, which featured 100 “highlight” paintings from the collection, realised more than $9 million and was followed by an August 9 timed online sale of 71 paintings that brought $956,659.

This auction has 48 works including several big name Australian artists such as Fred Williams (1927-1982) with his painting entitled Forest Trees, 1959 (lot 4) carrying a catalogue estimate of $35,000-$45,000.

Another well-known artist is John Perceval (1923-2000) and auction goers can see his painting The Garden of Eden, 1951 at lot 1.

Lloyd Rees (1895-1988) is a third name of note and is work Rhythmical Slopes, Bathurst, 1965 (lot 7) is certainly worth considering.

There are lesser known artists not as much in the public eye like abstract impressionist John Passmore (1904-1984) who trained in Australia before spending years in England before and after World War II before returning in 1951 to teach at his alma mater Julian Ashton School.

In his will he left 270 paintings to a friend and his works also are held at the National Gallery of Australia, The Art Gallery of New South Wales and in several other major public collections.

In this auction, Passmore’s The Seagull, 1958 (lot 10) is up for grabs.

New Zealand artist Godfrey Miller (1893-1964) was an influential figure in Sydney art circles throughout the 1950s and a committed exponent of European abstraction.

He initially trained in New Zealand as an architect before moving to Melbourne in 1918 and enrolling at the National Gallery School.

Space Movement I, 1936 (lot 9) is typical of his work with a catalogue estimate of $12,000-$18,000.

South Australian artist Michael Shannon (1927-1993) is another to feature in the auction with Evening in Toorak Road, 1966 (lot 2). He was a post-World War II and contemporary painter whose works feature in several key galleries and museums throughout the country.