The artworks by Eion Stevens, Ralph Hotere and Sir Grahame Sydney, respectively, were among more than 200 works by well-known New Zealand artists which were up for online auction at Hayward’s Auction House in Dunedin earlier this week.
Hotere’s Window in Spain and his Round Midnight received the highest bids of the auction, selling for $12,000 each.
Works by Simon Kaan, Eion Stevens, Brian Halliday and Annie Baird also fetched high prices.
David Shennan’s 2003 framed oil painting Chief Talks To His People had the greatest jump in value at the auction. After 56 bids, it sold for $1700 — 34 times its estimated value.
Sir Grahame’s Wounded Carrot failed to get a single bid.
However, several of his other works sold for more than $1500. The top one, his 1998 lithograph Night Meeting sold for $2600.
Last week, Hayward’s co-owner Bridgette More predicted some of the artworks could sell for as much as $10,000.
She said the results showed art appreciation was alive and well in the South.
"The artworks are definitely achieving some great prices.
"I don’t think it’s unusual. A lot of the prices reflect what fantastic works they are.
"I think the calibre of these works is very deserving."
Most of the pieces were bought by people living in the South, but many buyers from the North Island as well, she said.
The online art auction started last Thursday and closed on Tuesday night.
Among the lots were works by other prominent artists, including Marilynn Webb, Shona McFarlane, Peter Beadle, Jeffrey Harris and Geoff Williams.
Mrs More said it was rare to have so many works by top New Zealand artists, and she believed it was the best art auction Hayward’s had put together so far.
