An exciting opportunity for affordable art collecting

by Katherine Meredith

I am passionate about collecting art and showing that building an art collection is far more accessible than most people realize. While auctions are often associated with million-dollar paintings and bidding wars, they also offer incredible opportunities to acquire beautiful works at affordable prices. That’s why I’m especially excited about our current July auction, Cinq à Sept: Art for New Collectors. Named after our cocktail event series for new collectors, the sale is a thoughtfully curated selection of paintings, prints, sculptures, and photography spanning a wide range of styles and periods. With attractive starting bids throughout, it offers an excellent opportunity for both seasoned collectors and first-time buyers to discover exceptional works at accessible price points.

I am sharing some Cowley Abbott staff picks from this eclectic sale, divided into themes:

-Among the historical paintings and works on paper: an etching by James Ensor, Les masques scandalisés, dated 1895 in the plate. The 1905 shoreline sketch of Belgium by William Brymner and Sur la Loire by Pierre de Clausade are also favourites.

-Works by contemporary Canadian artists: David Urban’s Islands and Cities, Screaming by Barbara Astman, three dice by Barbara Steinman (pictured above), and a concave oil on board by David Craven.

-Historical and contemporary photography: Letting You In by Joshua Jensen-Nagle, a black and white inner tube crowd by Geoffrey Fricker, and Stanley by Hamilton artist Susan Schelle.

-1970s prints by Lawren Phillips Harris, James Rosenquist, and Kosso Eloul.

-Inuit and First Nations works on paper by Kenojouak Ashevak and Ashoona Pisteolak.

We invite you to browse the complete listing and preview the works in-person at the gallery! Bidding is open until Tuesday July 21st.