A painting by well-known New Zealand artist Bill Hammond sold at auction for $1.35 million, with fees bringing the final price to $1.65 million.
The artwork, called Zoomorphic Lounge III, was painted in 1999 by Hammond, who lived in Lyttelton. Megan Shaw, from Webb’s auction house, said the sale made it the second most expensive Hammond painting ever sold, missing the top spot by only around $20,000.
The painting was one of 100 artworks by 39 different artists that Webb’s auctioned on behalf of a private collector. Shaw explained that the collector was selling part of their collection to help support new and upcoming artists. Although Webb’s had hoped the painting might sell for as much as $1.8 million, the final price still placed it among the ten most expensive artworks ever sold in New Zealand’s art market.
Shaw said the buyer wished to remain private, but confirmed the painting would stay in New Zealand. She added that the artwork had spent the last ten years on loan to major galleries, including the Auckland Art Gallery, and that it would now become a special piece in its new owner’s collection.
Under New Zealand rules, five percent of the sale price goes to the artist, or to their family if the artist has passed away within the last 50 years. Bill Hammond died in 2021, meaning his estate would benefit from the sale.
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