Disappointing Result for Sotheby’s Taubman Sale

Our daily round-up of news from the art world

Taubman Sale Disappoints at Sotheby’s | The much hyped ‘Masterworks’ sale, the first in a series of four auctions of works from the collection of the late Alfred Taubman, has failed to meet high expectations in the sale room. The sale at Sotheby’s New York, which included works by Modigliani, Picasso and Degas, only just outperformed its low estimate of $375 million, bringing in $377 million. Sotheby’s has reportedly guaranteed some 500 items from the collection for around $500 million.

Memorial to Activist Seized in Nigeria | A sculpture in memory of Ken Saro-Wiwa, an activist executed by the Nigerian military in 1995, has been seized by the authorities at Lagos Port. The sculpture, which was commissioned by Platform London and created by artist Sokari Douglas Camp, was due to be permanently installed in Bori City to mark the 20th anniversary of Saro-Wiwa’s execution. The seizure is thought to be politically motivated.

National Portrait Gallery Concludes Agreement with Tretyakov | Russia has been featuring in Art News Daily for all the wrong reasons recently. Finally, here’s something to celebrate. London’s National Portrait Gallery and Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery have concluded an ‘unprecedented’ deal for a mutual exchange of works, reports Le Journal des Arts. Tretyakov director Zelfira Tregulova has described it as ‘bright new chapter in the story of cultural cooperation’ between Russia and the United Kingdom.

American Museum of Natural History Reveals Expansion Plans | New York’s Museum of Natural History has revealed ambitious plans for its imminent expansion, courtesy of architect Jeanne Gang. Gang’s vision for the extension aims to mimic naturally occurring forms, and according to the New York Times, it brings to mind both Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Bilbao and the underground cities of Cappadocia in Turkey. Quite a feat.

Karrabing Film Collective Wins Visible Award | This year’s Visible Award has been awarded to Karrabing Film Collective, a group of indigenous film makers from Australia’s Northern Territory, reports The Art Newspaper. The international prize, which was this year hosted at Tate Liverpool, awards the winner €25,000 for outstanding socially engaged art.

Offer Waterman to Represent Estate of William Turnbull | 20th-century British & International art specialists Offer Waterman have announced that they are to represent the estate of sculptor William Turnbull in the UK. Key works from the estate will be on view at Offer Waterman’s Mayfair space from 16 November.