All set for the 4th Edition of Circle Art Auction in Nairobi

ruby orimba

February 23, 2017 6:55 PM

The Circle Art Agency has announced the date for the 4th edition of its Modern and Contemporary East African Art Auction, which will take place on Monday, February 27, 2017 in Nairobi.

As the first and only art auction in East Africa, Circle Art has set the bar high for the art scene causing a growing interest in East African art both regionally and internationally. Due to this, corporate sectors are now identifying the burgeoning investment that is art leading to their increased endorsements to its market through various sponsorships.

In 2015, the Circle Art Auction realized a gross sale of over Ksh19.5million shillings with 4 lots fetching more than Kshs1 million each. This year, is set to do better with a variety of art from seven different countries. This consists of fifty four different pieces from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Ethiopia, and new this year, Seychelles and Zimbabwe.

Some of the corporate involved include DT Dobie, Standard Chartered Bank, Intercontinental Nairobi, Heritage Insurance, Majestic Printers, P&L Consulting and Moet & Chandon.

“As the first and only commercial art auction in East Africa, the last three editions have put East African art on the map. This has helped to build a new collector base and increased recognition for artistes from this previously neglected region. The auction brings together international and local art collectors with a passion for African art and who see the investment potential of this emerging art market.” says Danda Jaroljmek, Founder and Director, Circle Art Agency.

In this year’s selection, the auction will feature rare investment art from as early as 1958, current work from the most promising contemporary artists in the region, and artistes whose work has not been presented before.

They include pieces from Jak Katarikawe, Ali Hussein Darwish, Yassir Ali, George Lilanga, Dawit Abebe, Lilian Nabulime, Gakunju Kaigwa and the late Eli Kyeyune.

The Circle Art Auction was launched by Circle Art Agency in 2013 with the first ever commercial Modern and Contemporary East African art auction in Nairobi. The auspicious event attracts an approximate of three hundred guest as well as telephone bidders from all around the world.

In a press release, Lamin Manjang, CEO, Standard Chartered Kenya and East Africa says, “At Standard Chartered, art is an integral part of our heritage. Over the last decade we have put together over 500 contemporary art portraits across our Bank’s network globally. The bank realizes that Art provides an opportunity for our Priority and Business Clients to invest and store their wealth. Collectables are an increasingly popular avenue for investment and wealth creation.”

ruby orimba