Tyeb Mehta, Atul Dodiya among Christie's top 3 artworks

KOLKATA: The top ten artworks in the London auction of Christie’s are Tyeb Mehta’s Untititled (Figure on Rickshaw) , Atul Dodiya’s Father, Jitish Kallat’s Untitled (Eclipse) - 3 and Jehangir Sabavala’s Whispered Intimations. On the top ten ladder are also F N Souza’s Untitled (French Doors), Souza’s Nude Metamorphosed Into Insect, Souza’s Landscape with Buildings, Souza’s Unititled (Flagellation of Christ), Nilima Sheikh’s Going Away and Jagdish Swaminathan’s Untitled (Bird and Mountain Series.

While the Tyeb Mehta, acquired by a European private collector, touched a new high for the artist at £1,973,250 against an estimate of £800,000-1,200,000, Nilima Sheikh also achieved a world record for herself with a price of £79,250 compared to an estimate of £60,000-80,000. Dodiya swung £265,250, crossing the estimate £150,000-250,000, while Kallat fetched £145,250 against the estimate £120,000-180,000.

In the same breath, Sabavala took home £145,250 against an estimate £70,000-90,000. In step, Souza’s French Doors was picked up for £97,250 above the lower estimate of £80,000, the Nude Metamorphosed Into Insect was purchased for £85,250 beating the lower estimate of £80,000, while UK private collector bought the Landscape with Buildings for £85,250, whereas the lower estimate was £70,000 and the Untitled was again acquired by a UK private collector at £79,250 outstripping the lower estimate of £60,000.

Sheikh’s record price figured at £79,250, going past the lower reserve of £60,000, while the Swaminathan was acquired by an Indian private buyer for £73,250, crossing both the lower and higher estimate pegged at £50,000-70,000.
Hugo Weihe, Christie’s international director of Asian art and Yamini Mehta, head of sale, said, "The sale is historic in the South Asian Modern & Contemporary Art market with the passing of M F Husain. The auction featured two lots by the artist, both of which were well received, a fitting tribute to this great master. The success of the Tyeb Mehta work reflects the continued strength and demand for rare masterpieces."