New Auction Records Set for Noah Davis, Yoan Capote, and Leonardo Drew, in addition to a Work on Paper by Ed Clark

On March 4, Phillips New York's New Now sale of contemporary art had a solid 92% sell-through rate, achieving a total of $7.9 million for 195 lots. The total was a 52% increase from last year's smaller sale with 168 lots.

Leading lots included Noah Davis’s In Search of Gallerius Maximumianus, which sold for $400,000 from a low estimate of $60,000, a new record for the artist. Peter Halley’s Nowhere also reached $400,000 from an estimate of $250,000-$350,000. More than doubling its low estimate, was Ed Clark’s Untitled (Acrylic #1) from the series Louisiana. Online bidding helped push KAWS UNTITLED (KIMPSONS) to $280,000, well above its high estimate of $150,000. 

Sam Mansour, Phillips’ Head of New Now, New York, said, “Our New Now sales have always seen a great deal of international participation and the results of our March sale truly underscore the continued global appeal of the category. The auction saw the most online sale registrants in any 20th Century & Contemporary Art sale at Phillips, with bidders from 47 countries vying for works by established artists and auction newcomers alike."

"Jonathan Gardner was introduced to the secondary market to tremendous enthusiasm, with Daisy soaring [to $125,000] over six times its low estimate, said Mansour. "New auction records were set for nine artists, including Noah Davis, Yoan Capote, and Leonardo Drew, as well as for a work on paper by Ed Clark, whose Untitled, 1986, sold for $180,000. Following our record-breaking sale in September, this auction saw the highest total for a Spring midseason auction of 20th Century & Contemporary Art at Phillips, with extraordinary sell-through rates. Collectors’ confidence in the middle market is stronger than ever and we look forward to continuing the momentum in the season ahead, as we open our new headquarters at 432 Park Avenue in May.”