Submitted by aarAdmin on Mon, 06/23/2025 - 00:00
Australian sculptor Clement Meadmore (1929-2005) has never lost his appeal and the latest auction effort to support this conclusion was for Nidor 1980 (lot 13) which sold for a hammer price of $85,000 ($104, 318 including buyer’s premium) at Menzies June 18 Australian & International Multiples & Sculpture online Melbourne sale.
One of the most accomplished sculptors of his generation, Meadmore achieved commercial and critical success, both in Australia and the United States where he lived from 1963 until his death.
His bronze, steel and aluminium sculptures are renowned for their physicality, elegance and purity of form – and Nidor is no exception.
Lisa Roet is another Melbourne-based sculptor whose works are keenly sought after by collectors.
Fascinated by the relationship between primates and humans and using the monkey as the muse for her sculpture creations, Roet’s Sneezing Snub-nosed Monkey (lot 14) is a testimony to her skill and a fitting return at $39,273 including buyer’s premium.
The defining feature of this piece is the fact it is carved from high quality white Yunnan marble from China’s province of the same name.
Much harder and more difficult to work with than the Italian Carrara marble normally used in such sculptures, Roet chose the material because it is from the same region as the critically endangered snub-nosed monkey.
Damien Hirst’s unusual lot 4 Bromobenzotrifluoride (from 12 Woodcut Spots) did not disappoint at $29,455.
Since creating his first spot paintings in 1986, Hirst’s works have reached classical status in international contemporary art – with more than 1000 completed in the series.
Each of the 12 woodcut spots in the auction piece bears the name of a pharmaceutical from Hirst’s copy of The Physicians’ Reference – a trade listing of prescription drugs.
Every work iconic Australian artist Brett Whitely (1930-1992) ever created seems to find a new home as soon as it hits the auction market.
Silver Eye (lot 36) was no exception – even selling for double its lower catalogue estimate of $12,000 ($29,455 with bp) – while internationally renowned Spanish artist Pablo Picasso’s (1881-1973) Picador et Taureau earthenware ceramic plate (lot 56) was almost four times its lower estimate at $27,000 with bp.
Melbourne artist Bruce Armstrong (1957-2024) featured prominently with Hug, conceived 1990s, cast 2021 (lot 12) at $24,545.
One of Australia’s foremost sculptors during his lifetime, his large scale carved wooden figures feature prominently among Australian cityscapes, particularly in Canberra and Melbourne where Bunjil 2002, a 25-metre wedge-tailed eagle, towers over the Docklands precinct.
