‘Abstract Composition’ work fetches $1 million in London

LONDON - Hürriyet Daily News

‘Abstract Composition,’ which sold for over $1 million at a Sotheby’s is considered an exceptional and rare work.

Nejad Melih Devrim’s “Abstract Composition” topped Sotheby’s auction on modern and contemporary Turkish art in London on April 26, almost doubling pre-sale estimates by fetching 735,000 pounds ($1.1 million).

“This painting is a testament to Devrim’s mastery in creating brilliant compositions with geometric abstraction,” said Elif Bayoğlu, the deputy director and head of Sotheby’s contemporary Turkish art sale. “The sum achieved by this painting today reflects its superb quality, monumental scale and provenance.”

The sales yielded surprising results as works by contemporary artists like Ramazan Bayrakoğlu, Canan Tolon and Azade Köker fetched higher figures than the estimates, while works by older masters like Mübin Orhon, Fahrelnisa Zeid, Ömer Uluç and Komet remained unsold – as did works by star names such as Haluk Akakçe and Hussein Chalayan.

Although only 40 percent of the lots changed hands, the total sales figures still exceeded expectations at 1,531,175 pounds, setting a new auction record, Bayoğlu said.

Bayrakoğlu’s “Motorcycle,” which was originally estimated at between 15,000 and 20,000 pounds, sold for 63,650 pounds. Tolon’s “Glitch 3” started at a price range of 25,000 to 35,000 pounds but ultimately fetched 79,250 pounds. Köker’s “Bathsheba” also exceeded estimates, finding a buyer for 55,250 pounds. Ansen Atilla’s “Guns of War 2,” another highlight of the show, remained unsold, while only two out of four Burhan Doğançay pieces changed hands. Doğançay’s “Composition No:3” fetched 49,250 pounds – the same amount paid for Orhon’s “Untitled.” The price estimate for both works ranged between 50,000 and 70,000 pounds.

The other Doğançay work sold at the auction was “Triangular Shadows on Canvas,” which sold for 37,250 pounds – slightly above the lower end of the estimates.

Akakçe had a solid presence in the sales with four works, but none changed hands. The single Chalayan work at the auction, “Airmail Dress,” received no bid.

The top-selling work, “Abstract Composition,” was not the only Devrim work in the sale, which also featured smaller-size paintings by the master. “Abstract Composition,” which sold for over $1 million at a Sotheby’s auction in London, is considered an exceptional and rare work by Nejad Melih Devrim, one of the most important Turkish artists of the 21st century.