Doyle New York’s Inaugural Street Art Auction on October 16, 2012 was the first of its kind in America. The landmark sale showcased many of the most important artists in the history of Street Art and Graffiti, spanning the early 1980s to the present day. With competitive bidding from the salesroom, the telephones and the Internet, the sale totaled $129,179, with 70% sold by lot and value.
The top lot of the day was Natadora, a classic work by the late Margaret Kilgallen (1967-2001) that achieved a world auction record for the artist. Estimated at $5,000-7,000, the acrylic on wood panel sold to a buyer from California for a staggering $28,125. It almost tripled Kilgallen's prior record of $9,560, which was set just last year. A tremendous talent, Kilgallen brought influences of Folk art into her work.
Also featured in the auction was a decoupaged Vespa scooter by Shepard Fairey (b. 1970) that more than doubled its estimate of $4,000-6,000 to fetch $12,500 from a New York buyer. Fairey came to global prominence with his Barack Obama “Hope” poster, which now hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.
San Francisco native and Kilgallen’s husband Barry McGee (b. 1966), who evolved from Graffiti writer to respected contemporary artist, was represented by a late 1990s untitled mixed media work on metal that sold for $11,875 to a Brooklyn buyer, well over its estimate of $6,000-8,000.
Other artists whose works achieved auction records at the sale included Duster, Cody Hudson, David Choe, Todd James, Lamour Supreme & Mishka, and ASVP.
Read Hrag Vartanian's interview with Doyle New York's Street Art Specialist Angelo Madrigale at Hyperallergic
STREET ART PANEL DISCUSSION - September 19, 2012
Almost 200 guests attended a panel discussion tracing the evolution of Street Art hosted by Doyle New York on September 19. The event was moderated by Doyle’s Street Art specialist Angelo Madrigale and the panelists included Buff Monster, Adam Cost (AKA COST), Hrag Vartanian and David Meade. Among the topics covered were the transition of Street Art into major galleries and museums and the globalization of Street Art. An interactive Q&A session with the audience followed the presentation. The event preceded Doyle New York’s Inaugural Street Art Auction scheduled for October 13.
Buff Monster – The signature “Super Happy Pink” style ofBuff Monster has been emblazoned across walls in nearly every major U.S. city, as well as cities throughout Europe. His work has also appeared in the The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and major contemporary arts and culture magazines, such as Juxtapoz and Nylon.
Adam Cost (AKA COST) – Considered one of the Godfathers of the term “Street Art,” Adam Cost was instrumental in the shift from graffiti art – typically spray paint on walls – to wheatpasting and large paintroller pieces which attacked thewalls of NYC throughout the 90s. Still producing work today, Cost has been involved in decades of Graffiti history.
Hrag Vartanian – Founder of the tremendously influential arts and culture blog, Hyperallergic, Hrag has also written for The Huffington Post, NYFA Current and The Brooklyn Rail.
David Meade – Founder and tour guide for Street Art Walk, David Meade leads an ever-changing walking tour throughout Brooklyn, hosting a tour of the changing landscape of Street Art.
