Art Auction East Africa

Modern and Contemporary
Art Auction East Africa 2019

Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi

5 March 2019 · 59 lots

With 59 lots from seven countries, this was a year of rare and exceptional sculpture — including Lots 31 and 32 by the late master sculptor Samuel Wanjau — alongside stunning, well-priced paintings dating from the 1960s to the present.

With an emphasis on modern art and the secondary market, the sale was able to find some very unusual works, such as Lot 29, The Piano Player by Fabian Mpagi, and Lot 25 by the late Robin Anderson. Of the 59 lots offered, 54 sold — a sell-through rate of 92% — with total sales of KES 30,064,966, the highest of any edition to date.

The three highest prices were Edward Saidi Tingatinga's Untitled (Elephant Eating from the Marula Tree), 1971 (Lot 16), at KES 5,635,200, Geoffrey Mukasa's The Artist's Home (Lot 7) at KES 1,995,800, and Matoke Farmer by Samson 'Xenson' Ssenkaaba (Lot 11) at KES 1,408,800.

Artist focus: Edward Saidi Tingatinga. The 1971 elephant painting (Lot 16) remains the single highest result in the auction's history and transformed perceptions of the Tanzanian master, lifting his market from a decorative curiosity into the region's most valuable modern name.

Sponsors

KCB Bank
Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill
Hendrick's Gin
Glenfiddich
Ramco Printing

CATALOGUE

Art Auction East Africa 2019 catalogue cover
DOWNLOAD CATALOGUE

Showing 59 of 59 lots

Lot 1 — Ancent Soi, Untitled

Lot 1

Ancent Soi

Untitled, 1982

KES 220,000 – 330,000

USD 2,000 – 3,000

Sold KES 763,100

Lot 2 — Fitsum Berhe Woldelibanos, Woman

Lot 2

Fitsum Berhe Woldelibanos

Woman, 2010

KES 360,000 – 550,000

USD 3,200 – 5,000

Sold KES 610,480

Lot 3 — Francis Nnaggenda, The Flute Player

Lot 3

Francis Nnaggenda

The Flute Player, 2009

KES 280,000 – 380,000

USD 2,500 – 3,500

Sold KES 328,720

Lot 4 — Jimoh Buraimoh, Phases

Lot 4

Jimoh Buraimoh

Phases, 1972

KES 190,000 – 250,000

USD 1,750 – 2,250

Sold KES 193,710

Lot 5 — Charles Sekano, Blue Woman Sitting on the Bench

Lot 5

Charles Sekano

Blue Woman Sitting on the Bench, 2009–2010

KES 300,000 – 400,000

USD 2,750 – 3,750

Sold KES 493,080

Lot 6 — George William Kyeyune, Untitled

Lot 6

George William Kyeyune

Untitled, circa 1992

KES 440,000 – 660,000

USD 4,000 – 6,000

Sold KES 540,040

Lot 7 — Geoffrey Mukasa, The Artist’s Home

Lot 7

Geoffrey Mukasa

The Artist’s Home, circa 1993

KES 550,000 – 770,000

USD 5,000 – 7,000

Sold KES 1,995,800

Lot 8 — Geoffrey Mukasa, Under Palm Leaf

Lot 8

Geoffrey Mukasa

Under Palm Leaf, circa 2003–05

KES 380,000 – 550,000

USD 3,500 – 5,000

Sold KES 986,160

Lot 9 — Camille Wekesa, Tsavo Trees XVl, 2017 & Tsavo Trees Vl

Lot 9

Camille Wekesa

Tsavo Trees XVl, 2017 & Tsavo Trees Vl, 2018

KES 220,000 – 320,000

USD 2,000 – 3,000

Sold KES 375,680

Lot 10 — Kivuthi Mbuno, Untitled

Lot 10

Kivuthi Mbuno

Untitled, undated

KES 100,000 – 170,000

USD 900 – 1,550

Bought in

Lot 11 — Samson ‘Xenson’ Ssenkaaba, Matoke Farmer

Lot 11

Samson ‘Xenson’ Ssenkaaba

Matoke Farmer, 2016

KES 380,000 – 660,000

USD 3,500 – 6,000

Sold KES 1,408,800

Lot 12 — Henry ‘Mzili’ Mujunga, Hair Salon

Lot 12

Henry ‘Mzili’ Mujunga

Hair Salon, 2018

KES 430,000 – 550,000

USD 3,900 – 5,000

Sold KES 457,860

Lot 13 — Kamal Shah, Village Diva in Red

Lot 13

Kamal Shah

Village Diva in Red, 2005

KES 200,000 – 250,000

USD 1,850 – 2,300

Sold KES 305,240

Lot 14 — Mohamed Abdella Otaybi, Flying Woman II

Lot 14

Mohamed Abdella Otaybi

Flying Woman II, 2018

KES 330,000 – 385,000

USD 3,000 – 3,500

Sold KES 328,720

Lot 15 — Edward Saidi Tingatinga, Untitled (Hunter with Bird)

Lot 15

Edward Saidi Tingatinga

Untitled (Hunter with Bird), circa 1968–72

KES 600,000 – 940,000

USD 5,500 – 8,500

Sold KES 645,700

Lot 16 — Edward Saidi Tingatinga, Untitled, (Elephant Eating from the Marula Tree)

Lot 16

Edward Saidi Tingatinga

Untitled, (Elephant Eating from the Marula Tree), 1971

KES 600,000 – 940,000

USD 5,500 – 8,500

Sold KES 5,635,200

Lot 17 — Theresa Musoke, Untitled

Lot 17

Theresa Musoke

Untitled, undated

KES 220,000 – 330,000

USD 2,000 – 3,000

Sold KES 258,280

Lot 18 — Rosemary Karuga, Untitled

Lot 18

Rosemary Karuga

Untitled, undated

KES 200,000 – 280,000

USD 1,800 – 2,550

Sold KES 352,200

Lot 19 — Twins Seven Seven, Hunter’s Dream II

Lot 19

Twins Seven Seven

Hunter’s Dream II, 1980

KES 550,000 – 660,000

USD 5,000 – 6,000

Sold KES 587,000

Lot 20 — Donald Wasswa, Namata

Lot 20

Donald Wasswa

Namata, 2018

KES 220,000 – 440,000

USD 2,000 – 4,000

Sold KES 446,120

Lot 21 — Dickens Otieno, Doors

Lot 21

Dickens Otieno

Doors, 2018

KES 350,000 – 450,000

USD 3,200 – 4,100

Sold KES 751,360

Lot 22 — Yassir Ali, Joy of Colours

Lot 22

Yassir Ali

Joy of Colours, 2018

KES 300,000 – 450,000

USD 2,725 – 4,100

Sold KES 587,000

Lot 23 — Eunice Wadu, Shamba Thoughts, 1994 & Grandmother’s Story

Lot 23

Eunice Wadu

Shamba Thoughts, 1994 & Grandmother’s Story, 1994

KES 75,000 – 120,000

USD 680 – 1,100

Sold KES 70,440

Lot 24 — Tabitha Wa Thuku, The Beautiful Host

Lot 24

Tabitha Wa Thuku

The Beautiful Host, 2006

KES 120,000 – 190,000

USD 1,100 – 1,725

Sold KES 223,060

Lot 25 — Robin Anderson, Untitled (Women’s Market)

Lot 25

Robin Anderson

Untitled (Women’s Market), circa 1968–70

KES 600,000 – 900,000

USD 5,500 – 8,200

Sold KES 1,408,800

Lot 26 — Stephen Kasumba, Carrying Gifts

Lot 26

Stephen Kasumba

Carrying Gifts, 2000

KES 330,000 – 440,000

USD 3,000 – 4,000

Bought in

Lot 27 — Bruce Onobrakpeya, Red Bird (Ophran Isene)

Lot 27

Bruce Onobrakpeya

Red Bird (Ophran Isene), 2011

KES 190,000 – 275,000

USD 1,750 – 2,500

Sold KES 399,160

Lot 28 — George Lilanga, Untitled (Drink and Dial)

Lot 28

George Lilanga

Untitled (Drink and Dial), undated

KES 110,000 – 165,000

USD 1,000 – 1,500

Sold KES 176,100

Lot 29 — Fabian Mpagi, Untitled (The Piano Player)

Lot 29

Fabian Mpagi

Untitled (The Piano Player), 1978

KES 440,000 – 660,000

USD 4,000 – 6,000

Sold KES 657,440

Lot 30 — Kizito Maria Kasule, Sailing Boats

Lot 30

Kizito Maria Kasule

Sailing Boats, 1999

KES 220,000 – 330,000

USD 2,000 – 3,000

Sold KES 281,760

Lot 31 — Samuel Wanjau, Woman Reading, undated (circa late 1970s to early 1980s)

Lot 31

Samuel Wanjau

Woman Reading, undated (circa late 1970s to early 1980s)

KES 400,000 – 500,000

USD 3,650 – 4,550

Sold KES 845,280

Lot 32 — Samuel Wanjau, Untitled (Lady Smoking), circa late 1990s

Lot 32

Samuel Wanjau

Untitled (Lady Smoking), circa late 1990s

KES 375,000 – 475,000

USD 3,450 – 4,350

Sold KES 422,640

Lot 33 — Collin Sekajugo (Ugandan/Rwandan, born 1980), Lost Card

Lot 33

Collin Sekajugo (Ugandan/Rwandan, born 1980)

Lost Card, 2018

KES 220,000 – 330,000

USD 2,000 – 3,000

Sold KES 258,280

Lot 34 — Dawit Abebe, Background Series (54, 39, 46)

Lot 34

Dawit Abebe

Background Series (54, 39, 46), 2013

KES 490,000 – 720,000

USD 4,500 – 6,500

Sold KES 1,009,640

Lot 35 — Sane Wadu, Tasting Red Wine

Lot 35

Sane Wadu

Tasting Red Wine, 2018

KES 250,000 – 350,000

USD 2,275 – 3,200

Sold KES 422,640

Lot 36 — Kamau ‘Cartoon’ Joseph, Untitled

Lot 36

Kamau ‘Cartoon’ Joseph

Untitled, circa 2009

KES 300,000 – 400,000

USD 2,750 – 3,650

Sold KES 352,200

Lot 37 — Annabelle Wanjiku, Co-existing

Lot 37

Annabelle Wanjiku

Co-existing, 2000

KES 220,000 – 350,000

USD 2,000 – 3,200

Sold KES 234,800

Lot 38 — Jak Katarikawe, Untitled

Lot 38

Jak Katarikawe

Untitled, undated

KES 450,000 – 550,000

USD 4,100 – 5,000

Bought in

Lot 39 — Hussein Halfawi, Untitled

Lot 39

Hussein Halfawi

Untitled, 2018

KES 375,000 – 450,000

USD 3,400 – 4,100

Sold KES 469,600

Lot 40 — Issam Hafiez, Absence

Lot 40

Issam Hafiez

Absence, 2018

KES 300,000 – 400,000

USD 2,750 – 3,750

Sold KES 328,720

Lot 41 — Peter Elungat, Kneeling Woman

Lot 41

Peter Elungat

Kneeling Woman, circa 2000

KES 100,000 – 180,000

USD 950 – 1,650

Sold KES 176,100

Lot 42 — John Kamicha, Untitled

Lot 42

John Kamicha

Untitled, undated

KES 150,000 – 200,000

USD 1,350 – 1,800

Bought in

Lot 43 — Edward Njenga, Asian Stone Mason

Lot 43

Edward Njenga

Asian Stone Mason, undated

KES 380,000 – 480,000

USD 3,450 – 4,400

Sold KES 446,120

Lot 44 — El Sadig Agena, Untitled

Lot 44

El Sadig Agena

Untitled, 2016

KES 360,000 – 470,000

USD 3,300 – 4,300

Sold KES 399,160

Lot 45 — Richard Kimathi, Untitled

Lot 45

Richard Kimathi

Untitled, circa 1999

KES 400,000 – 600,000

USD 3,650 – 4,450

Sold KES 410,900

Lot 46 — Ash Uman, Untitled

Lot 46

Ash Uman

Untitled, undated

KES 120,000 – 200,000

USD 1,100 – 1,800

Sold KES 187,840

Lot 47 — Raza Mohammed, Mother and Child

Lot 47

Raza Mohammed

Mother and Child, 2018

KES 240,000 – 330,000

USD 2,200 – 3,000

Sold KES 234,800

Lot 48 — Elias Jengo, Ngoma (Drummer)

Lot 48

Elias Jengo

Ngoma (Drummer), 2006

KES 90,000 – 135,000

USD 820 – 1,200

Sold KES 105,660

Lot 49 — Tahir Carl Karmali, Paper-WORK

Lot 49

Tahir Carl Karmali

Paper-WORK, 2018

KES 150,000 – 220,000

USD 1,360 – 2,000

Sold KES 140,880

Lot 50 — Wole Lagunju, Frieda

Lot 50

Wole Lagunju

Frieda, 2018

KES 55,000 – 82,500

USD 500 – 750

Sold KES 305,240

Lot 51 — Robino Ntila, Looking at the Horizon, 2018 & Horizon

Lot 51

Robino Ntila

Looking at the Horizon, 2018 & Horizon, 2018

KES 50,000 – 70,000

USD 450 – 650

Sold KES 51,656

Lot 52 — Muraina Oyelami, Three Dreadlocks

Lot 52

Muraina Oyelami

Three Dreadlocks, 2005

KES 110,000 – 165,000

USD 1,000 – 1,500

Sold KES 258,280

Lot 53 — Rashid Diab, Untitled

Lot 53

Rashid Diab

Untitled, 1996

KES 770,000 – 880,000

USD 7,000 – 8,000

Bought in

Lot 54 — Michael Musyoka, Offerings of the Same Things lV

Lot 54

Michael Musyoka

Offerings of the Same Things lV, 2018

KES 180,000 – 280,000

USD 1,650 – 2,550

Sold KES 328,720

Lot 55 — Charles Sekano, Untitled

Lot 55

Charles Sekano

Untitled, undated

KES 300,000 – 400,000

USD 2,750 – 3,650

Sold KES 316,980

Lot 56 — Romano Lutwama, Untitled, undated (circa 1999)

Lot 56

Romano Lutwama

Untitled, undated (circa 1999)

KES 220,000 – 270,000

USD 2,000 – 2,500

Sold KES 234,800

Lot 57 — Wilson Mwangi, One by One

Lot 57

Wilson Mwangi

One by One, 2019

KES 120,000 – 220,000

USD 1,100 – 2,000

Sold KES 187,840

Lot 58 — Sane Wadu, The Angel

Lot 58

Sane Wadu

The Angel, circa 1990

KES 90,000 – 180,000

USD 820 – 1,640

Sold KES 176,100

Lot 59 — Charity Lot, Jak Katarikawe (Ugandan

Lot 59

Charity Lot

Jak Katarikawe (Ugandan, 1938–2018)

KES 170,000 – 380,000

USD 1,500 – 3,500

Sold KES 493,080

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