Our Pick of the Week is this Sunday’s  November 15, SANTA MONICA AUCTIONS event at Bergamot Station. Each year SANTA MONICA AUCTIONS presents an annual auction…This is a special auction, and an opportunity to bid on some rare works that have not previously come up for auction. If you are an art collector or are interested in becoming one…stop by this Sunday’s event. Be sure to check out my Huffington Post article for more info about the artwork and the event.

DNov15-SMAUCTIONS-David-Wojnarowiczavid Wojnarowicz
Cartoon Bull, 1984-85
Oil on canvas
Signed on verso on stretcher bar; Identification label on verso
Image: 50 x 72 inches
Estimated Gallery Price: $30,000/$40,000

I have received calls from several collectors about exhibitions I’ve reviewed asking my opinion on investments. I always answer…”buy it if you want it hanging in your living room.” There is no crystal ball telling any of us which work will appreciate the quickest. But learning to listen to your gut usually proves right over time.

Take advantage of art pros such as Robert Berman, owner of SANTA MONICA AUCTIONS. Ask questions and listen. Berman has a highly discerning taste and turns down much of the work which is brought to him. With over forty years of experience, he knows exactly what to look for to authenticate a work of art. He has learned how to detect the historical significance of an artwork and why it will most probably appreciate.

HeNovember15 sm-SMAuctions HERB RITTS RICHARDGERErb Ritts
Richard Gere, San Bernardino, 1979
Gelatin silver print
Signed on verso
Image: 16.875 x 13.125; Sheet: 19.125 x 15.875; Framed: 23.5 x 20 inches
Estimated Gallery Price: $9,000/$11,000

Berman was responsible for bringing New York artist Keith Haring to Los Angeles and worked with him throughout his career. Berman first met Haring in the East Village back in the 80s. A painting of one of Haring’s contemporaries, David Wojnarowicz will be part of the November 15, Auction.

It is that painting by Wojnarowicz that Berman appears to be most excited about, along with the John Baldessari suite of six prints. Of course an Andy Warhol soup can is another prize to win, along with Herb Ritts photograph of Richard Gere, which changed the course of history and launched the careers of both Ritts and Gere.

Andy WarholNov15-sm-Warhol-unframed
Campbell’s Soup II (Chicken n Dumplings ), 1969
Color screenprint
From the numbered edition of 250
Signed in ink on verso with edition number with rubber stamp
Printed by Salvatore Silkscreen Co, Inc., New York; Published by Factory Additions, New York
Image: 32 x 18.5 inches; Sheet: 35 x 23 inches; Unframed

Berman encourages new buyers to come into the gallery to see the work in person and decide what interests them most prior to the event on November 15. The staff is knowledgeable about the work and can answer any questions.

The SANTA MONICA AUCTIONS event will be held at the B7 space (at Bergamot Station) on Sunday November 15. It will begin promptly at 12pm and will most probably last through 3 pm…but one never knows…it could still be going on at 5pm.

Gallery hours are: Tuesday thru Friday 11- 6pm; For last minute viewing be sure to stop by the B7 gallery on Saturday, November 14 from 11am-8pm. If you cannot attend the event, you can bid online or by phone, etc., CLICK HERE.  The full catalogue is available at www.smauctions.com

Nov15-sm-BYRichardBilow-SMAuctions-RobertBerman-With-BaldessariSuiteRobert Berman with the John Baldessari suite of prints, up for auction on November 15;
Photo by Richard Bilow
John Baldessari
Guitar Series (Pink, Green, Yellow, Red, Blue, Orange), 2005
Complete suite of six 3-layer, 5 color screen print constructions,
mounted to sinter and hand cut in the original Gemini G.E.L. frames
Edition of 45 *all works have the same edition number
Each signed, numbered and dated in white ink on recto
Published by Gemini G.E.L
Estimate: $80,000/$120,000

What: Auction
Where: SANTA MONICA AUCTIONS, Bergamot Station, (B-7) 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, 90404
When: November 15, 2015, 12:00 pm and On (4pm)
Phone: 310.586.9128
Website:
www.smauctions.com