Christie’s Annual Outsider and Vernacular Art auction on January 18th brings a treasure trove of spectacular artwork by self-taught artists that could be yours if you have deep pockets.
Below is a list of artworks by artists like Bill Traylor, Henry Darger, Nellie Mae Rowe, and Clementine Hunter, to name a few. While I would love to own and display every artwork at this here auction, these works stand out to me above the rest. Somehow simultaneously quintessential to that artist’s oeuvre and also uniquely out there. These works are the ones to keep your eyes on.
All artworks listed below are in no particular order with their title, year made, and materials used to create—an estimate of worth per Christie’s.
BILL TRAYLOR
Bill Traylor, the preeminent self-taught artist who has been established as not only one of the greatest outsider artists but also one of the most important artists of the 20th century, leads the pack here with Goat, Camel, Lion, and Figures. A wonderfully arranged work combining a staple of Bill Traylor; animals and expressive figures. I doubt Traylor witnessed an actual goat, camel, and lion frolicking down the street of Birmingham, Alabama years ago, but I would like to think he did.
Estimate: $200,000-$300,000 USD
- 2022 Highest Price Realised: $175,000 USD
- 2021 Highest Price Realised: $293,750 USD
- 2020 Highest Price Realised: $507,000 USD
WILLIAM HAWKINS
As the unofficial president of the William Hawkins fan club, I’ve seen all his incredible works. Or so I thought. I have never claimed to be a super intelligent person, and with over hundreds of works completed just in the 1980s since that famous Ohio State Fair first prize, there’s no chance I’ve seen them all. Case in point, this unique Critter. A sloth? A porcupine? A critter of Hawkins’ own making? This piece is undeniably Hawkins, with the contrasting colors of texture throughout the critter, the smattering of red that makes it looks like Hawkins was either running out of house paint as he signed his name, birthplace, and birthdate or just running out of steam at the end of a long night. This piece has it all and then some.
Estimate: $40,000-$50,000 USD
- 2022 Highest Price Realised: $52,500 USD
- 2021 Highest Price Realised: $12,500 USD
- 2020 Highest Price Realised: $45,000 USD
CLEMENTINE HUNTER
All of these pieces at Christie’s auction are special. The same thing I say when someone asks me about my children. But what lands it on the list of can’t miss? Clementine Hunter, a self-taught memory painter from Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, would paint scenes from her life living and working on Melrose Plantation. While all her works are uniquely naive, this one stands alone. It would appear that perhaps Hunter had a spark of inspiration as she tried her darndest to paint the faces at this child’s birthday party as detailed as possible. I have not seen anything like this. Those eyes, the mouth, and teeth; over the course of a hundred years, you’re going to experiment a little, right? It seems as if, like most of us who attempt to draw faces, Hunter gave it a go and then decided if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Estimate: $6,000-$10,000 USD
- 2022 Highest Price Realised: $15,000 USD
- 2021 Highest Price Realised: $32,500 USD
- 2020 Highest Price Realised: $21,250 USD
HENRY DARGER
How often could you come into owning something as miraculous, mysterious, and marvelous as a work by the grandfather of outsider art, Henry Darger? Not that Darger ever planned on any of his paintings and writings, part of a 15,000-page manuscript created in secret and with no knowledge of anyone until Darger’s death in 1973, but here it is. No work will go for more than Bill Traylor’s Goat, Camel, Lion and Figures work, but if one does, it’s likely to be a piece by Henry Darger.
Estimate: $50,000-$100,000 USD
- 2022 Highest Price Realised: $35,000 USD
- 2021 Highest Price Realised: no Henry Darger work in 2022 auction
- 2020 Highest Price Realised: $40,000 USD
NELLIE MAE ROWE
Is it possible not to experience absolute joy while looking at a Nellie Mae Rowe work of art? The colors, the imagery, the titles (this one, My Play Day – I mean, c’mon!), Nellie Mae Rowe was having the most fun making art, and it shows in all her works. On the heels of an acclaimed exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum titled “The Radical Art of Nellie Mae Rowe”, this work, among others could be yours. Now that would also bring me joy!
Estimate: $4,000-$6,000 USD
- 2022 Highest Price Realised: $293,750 USD
- 2021 Highest Price Realised: $21,250 USD
- 2020 Highest Price Realised: $20,000 USD
MINNIE EVANS
While it will be cold in New York for this year’s auction, this work by Minnie Evans will warm your soul. Look at those vibrant colors! Do I need to say more? You’re probably telling yourself at this point, no, you do not, please stop. I won’t say much more than go watch the wonderful documentary “The Angel That Stands By Me: Minnie Evans’s Paintings” and then try your best to resist the urge to find and hug all the Minnie Evans works ever created.
Estimate: $5,000-$10,000 USD
- 2022 Highest Price Realised: $4,000 USD
- 2021 Highest Price Realised: $20,000 USD
- 2020 Highest Price Realised: $32,500 USD
SAM DOYLE
File this with the Clementine Hunter work under works that I can’t believe are made by the person that made them. Sam Doyle, known for his expressive and sometimes abnormal works of art on repurposed metal sliding, really outdid himself here. I’m not really sure who made Doyle so upset here that he had to unleash this terrifying creature down in paint, and while I don’t condone violence, let’s thank that person. And thank Sam Doyle for taking his anger out on this metal siding. This bizarre and wonderful metal siding. I certainly wouldn’t mind having this hanging in my entryway to set the tone for any unruly house guests that come over.
Estimate: $15,000-$30,000 USD
- 2022 Highest Price Realised: $37,500 USD
- 2021 Highest Price Realised: no Sam Doyle work in 2021 auction
- 2020 Highest Price Realised: no Sam Doyle work in 2020 auction
THORNTON DIAL
If you’ve ever wanted to own part of Jane Fonda’s art collection, here’s your chance. Well, maybe. This Thornton Dial could quickly go for close to one hundred thousand dollars. And why not? Thornton Dial is an absolute national treasure. An avid collector of Southern self-taught art, this Dial is just one of fourteen works Jane Fonda has in this year’s Christie’s auction. Looking for something a little less expensive? Check out this work by Arthur Dial that is just as beautiful.
Estimate: $50,000-$100,000 USD
- 2022 Highest Price Realised: $50,000 USD
- 2021 Highest Price Realised: $150,000 USD
- 2020 Highest Price Realised: $125,000 USD
MINNIE ADKINS
As a recent owner of a lovely wood carving by 88-year-old artist Minnie Adkins (b. 1934), I may be biased here, but can you blame me? This piece measuring 23.5 inches long, was made over thirty years ago and is attributed to both Minnie and Garland Adkins (1928-1997) as per their signatures on the animal’s stomach. Once you get past the gorgeous black, brown, tan, and gold stripes on the cat’s body, you quickly see the detail of the protruding teeth in the bright red mouth of this possibly hungry cat? Look just a little long and hard in those carefully and meticulously crafted eyes of this cat you could wind up part of its dinner. Just kidding, it’s not real, but you never know. Buy this piece and find out.
Estimate: $1,000-$2,000 USD
- 2022 Highest Price Realised: no Minnie Adkins work in 2022 auction
- 2021 Highest Price Realised: no Minnie Adkins work in 2021 auction
- 2020 Highest Price Realised: no Minnie Adkins work in 2020 auction
DAVID BUTLER
While I have only been following the ins and outs of outsider art auctions for a few years, one thing that has stuck with me in that time is that if you think you’re getting a deal on David Butler’s work, you’re probably wrong. I vividly remember sitting in my classroom when my students were working on a papier-mâché project, watching the price of a piece by David Butler soar well past it’s original estimate. The estimate for this piece titled Three Kings may reflect my observation. Remember that observation I made when I was supposed to be teaching, but I was watching an outsider art auction instead? My only prediction for this auction is that this piece likely will sell for at least double, if not triple, its current estimate. So get your David Butler work while you can!
Estimate: $10,000-$15,000 USD
- 2022 Highest Price Realised: $62,500 USD
- 2021 Highest Price Realised: no David Butler work in 2021 auction
- 2020 Highest Price Realised: no Lee Godie work in 2020 auction
LEE GODIE
Only a little is known about this piece other than it was acquired directly from Lee Godie herself in 1985, likely on the steps of The Art Institute of Chicago, which she was known to do for many years. What I love the most about this work, other than the beautiful pinks, blues, and turquoise, is that the artist included the most adorably charming photo of herself in this work where the characters in it can’t quite figure out the situation they’ve found themselves.
Estimate: $5,000-$10,000 USD
- 2022 Highest Price Realised: $8,125 USD
- 2021 Highest Price Realised: no Lee Godie work in 2021 auction
- 2020 Highest Price Realised: no Lee Godie work in 2020 auction
ELIJAH PIERCE
Elijah Pierce, a wood carver extraordinaire and profoundly religious man, brings us this cheeky rendition of Judas and Jesus. I love everything about it. The pastel colors, the look on Jesus’ face, and all the little details. Look at what would appear to be a halo symbol cut out from the black background. Every nick and smudge makes it hard to decipher whether it was intentional. What makes this work, especially fun is you’re getting the original frame that Pierce made for this piece as well as an inscription on the back, in which Pierce wrote to the original buyer: “CARVED SEPT. 23nd 1960 / Elijah Pierce and SOLD TO MR. + MRS CHARLES / BITTLE / $250.00”.
Estimate: $10,000-$15,000 USD
- 2022 Highest Price Realised: $20,000 USD
- 2021 Highest Price Realised: $60,000 USD*
- 2020 Highest Price Realised: no Elijah Pierce work in 2020 auction
*2021 Elijah Pierce sold was a colobaration with Leroy Almon titled Jonah and the Fish (1980)
SISTER GERTRUDE MORGAN
Sister Gertrude Morgan had one mission for her artwork, to spread the Word of God. As a former street preacher from New Orleans turned poet, musician, and artist, Morgan makes faith look fun! I mean, those angels are having a blast going up, up, up to the ‘milky white way.’ Not sure anyone on this list put more expressive movement and energy into their work. To see Morgan make paint and make mus have, on its own, been a frantic religious experience. Good luck not feeling spiritual after buying this and hanging it above your fireplace!
Estimate: $7,000-$10,000 USD
- 2022 Highest Price Realised: $16,250 USD
- 2021 Highest Price Realised: no Sister Gertrude Morgan work in 2021 auction
- 2020 Highest Price Realised: $10,000 USD
RELATED: Who knew? Activist, actor, and art collector Jane Fonda is also a lover of outsider art. According to The Art Newspaper, the eighty-five year old is listing fourteen artworks for auction at Christie's annual Outsider and Vernacular art auction in New York on January 18th, 2023.
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