Annual Auction of Latin American Art by Phillips de Pury & Company in New York

The catalogue will feature an exciting selection of editorial content on Latin American art and culture including interviews with the collector Cesar Cervantes, and the artists Jorge Pardo, Francis Alÿs and Carmen Herrara.

A sculptural work by American painter Neil Williams exposes the profound effects of Latin culture on non-native artists. Bloco de Troncoso I, 1982, estimated at $120,000-140,000, reveals the influence of not only studio partner Frank Stella, as well as impact of Williams’ exposure to Brazilian culture after participating in the São Paulo Biennial in 1982. Pepe López’s Guapísimas, 2004, estimated at $20,000-30,000, beckons its audience to confront the reality of global consumerism through cultural codes of society. From the legendary monochromatic series, Relief no. 161-4 by Brazilian artist Sergio Camargo is estimated at $800,000 to $1,200,000. The work consists of painted diagonally-cut wooden cylinders arranged on a flat wooden board. Influenced by Lucio Fontana, Camargo explores the balance between order and chaos by alternating between the fullness and emptiness of the space. This renowned work radically invigorates the aesthetics of both old and new traditions. The sale will showcase a sculpture by Colombian artist Fernando Botero estimated at $1,000,000 to $1,200,000. Male Torso, 1992, is a monumental bronze statue which has graced some of the most prestigious boulevards from the Champs-Elysees in Paris to Park Avenue in New York. The chiseled torso is extraordinary in both its colossal size, and its departure from the artist’s usual voluptuous subjects. In order to fully celebrate this work, Phillips will be returning the Male Torso to New York City with an exciting unveiling which will mark the viewing of the sale. Cundo Bermudez’sDesayuno en la playa estimated at $80,000 – 120,000; and a series from Carlos Garaicoa’s New Architectures estimated at $50,000 – 70,000. Additional works by Dr. Lakra, Gabriel Kuri, Abraham Cruzvillegas and Claudio Bravo are included in this sale.

Photographs highlights include two works by Manuel Álvarez Bravo, The Unbandaged One (la Desvendada), 1938, estimated at $15,000-25,000 and Untitled (Cacti against sky), circa 1930’s, estimated at $15,000-20,000. Both works beautifully reflect the social-realist propaganda perpetuated by the Mexican government following the Zapata-led Mexican Revolution of 1910-1920. As part of the new ideological landscape that favored the indigenous over the foreign and the populist over the elitist, emphasis on quintessentially “Mexican” characteristics became prevalent in art, examples of which—a proudly standing nude local woman, regional flora, and agrarian sky—are beautifully featured in the aforementioned works by Álvarez Bravo. A similar sensitivity to, and reverence of the typically Mexican is also neatly reflected in Tina Modotti’s Cactus Flower, 1926, estimated at $10,000-15,000. As the principal photographer for the publication Mexican Folkways until 1930, and undoubtedly engaging in an artistic dialogue with her lover at the time, famed American photographer Edward Weston, Modotti created an image that is as much a testament of her love for the country as her mastery of the Formalist elements of line, light and simplicity.

Design highlights include Pedro Friedeberg’s “Hand and Foot” chair, 1960s, estimated at $12,000-18,000. Rejecting the International Style being predominantly taught in Mexico at the time, Friedeberg embraced the references to Tantric scriptures, Aztec codices, Catholicism, Hinduism and occult symbols in his designs rather than the right angles of his European contemporaries. José Zanine Caldas’ Bench, ca. 1970, estimated at $15,000 - 20,000. Design will also include Hugo França's "Sirinhaem" chaise lounge estimated at $20,000 – 30,000; and Fernando and Humberto Campana's "Cake" stool estimated at $20,000 – 30,000.

Editions includes multiple prints and portfolios by Wifredo Lam Annonciation containing seven prints and estimated at $15,000-20,000, Roberto Matta Hom’mere III-L’Ergonaute containing ten prints and estimated at $15,000-20,000 and two lots featuring brightly colored screenprints by Beatriz Milhazes O Espelho (The Mirror), 2000 estimated at $9,000-12,000 and O Sabado, 2000 estimated at $9,000-12,000.

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Phillips de Pury & Company is proud to announce its auction in New York of Latin American Art. It will take place the 29th of September of 2010, at 1:00 pm, with a previous ehibition from the 25th of September.

The sales and exhibition will take place on 450 West 15th Street, New York, NY 10011.

For more informacion : www.phillipsdepury.com

or contact us: themes@phillipsdepury.com

Telephone: 212 940 1229, f: +1 212 924 3185.