John Kelly: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is now open at 14-16 Collins Street, Melbourne. 

During the past two and a half decades John Kelly has developed a distinguished reputation in Australia and internationally for his work that combines his unique intellect and humour.  Bristol born, Kelly moved to Australia with his parents in 1965, the year of his birth.  Kelly now resides in West Cork, Ireland and has English, Australian and Irish nationality.  It was during his time in Australia that Kelly developed his affinity with one of his most recognised subjects, William Dobell’s camouflaged cows, created when, during World War II, Dobell was commissioned to make paper-mâché cows with the purpose of confusing enemy aircraft about the locations of Australian airbases. 

This significant exhibition will feature 15 major paintings and sculptures by the artist and will be open to the public Monday to Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm, 5-24 February 2024 at 14-16 Collins Street, Melbourne.

To enquire about the availability of works in the exhibition, please contact our specialists below.

John Kelly is represented exclusively by Smith & Singer.

The digital catalogue for the forthcoming selling exhibition John Kelly: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly at Smith & Singer is now available to view online. 

During the past two and a half decades John Kelly has developed a distinguished reputation in Australia and internationally for his work that combines his unique intellect and humour.  Bristol born, Kelly moved to Australia with his parents in 1965, the year of his birth.  Kelly now resides in West Cork, Ireland and has English, Australian and Irish nationality.  It was during his time in Australia that Kelly developed his affinity with one of his most recognised subjects, William Dobell’s camouflaged cows, created when, during World War II, Dobell was commissioned to make paper-mâché cows with the purpose of confusing enemy aircraft about the locations of Australian airbases. 

This significant exhibition will feature 15 major paintings and sculptures by the artist and will be open to the public Monday to Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm, 5-24 February 2024 at 14-16 Collins Street, Melbourne.

To enquire about the availability of works in the exhibition, please contact our specialists below.

John Kelly is represented exclusively by Smith & Singer.

IMPORTANT AUSTRALIAN ART

Consign now to our April 2024 auction of Important Australian Art.

In 2023, Smith & Singer continued our market leadership of art at auction and private sales in Australia and established 6 of the 10 highest prices at auction, including a new auction record for Australian sculpture.

Our November 2023 auction achieved a sale total of $10,144,374 (including buyer’s premium) that combined excellent sold rates of 112% (by value) and 79% (by volume) combined with outstanding performances against estimates.

Building on the resounding success of our auctions of fewer works of higher value, combined with unparalleled in-house scholarship, our carefully curated April 2024 auction will include significant examples of historical, modern and contemporary Australian art.

To participate in this momentous sale, please contact our highly experienced specialists for a confidential appraisal.

You may also use our appraisal estimate form. 

IMPORTANT JEWELS & WATCHES 

Smith & Singer’s auction of Important Jewels & Watches on Wednesday evening built on the success of our May and September sales with items of quality and exceptional design attracting strong competition from bidders in the room, on the telephones and online.

Excellent results for dazzling diamond, coloured gemstone and pearl jewellery were achieved for jewels by Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston, Ilias Lalounis, Paspaley and Cartier, alongside watches by Piaget, Franck Muller and Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Among the notable results was this stunning 18ct gold and diamond 'Signature X' necklace, Tiffany & Co. (lot 31, estimate $36,000–46,000) which sold for $51,250 (including buyer’s premium).

Pictured top

Lot 31

18ct gold and diamond 'Signature X' necklace, Tiffany & Co.

The articulated collar designed as a series of fluted X-shaped links alternating with quatrefoil motifs pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds together weighing approximately 8.00 carats, completed by a concealed clasp, inner circumference approximately 410mm, signed T&Co. for Tiffany & Co.
Estimate $36,000–46,000
Sold for $51,250 on 6 December 2023

VIEW LOT

IMPORTANT JEWELS & WATCHES 

The Sydney exhibition will continue until 2 pm this afternoon at Smith & Singer, 30 Queen Street, Woollahra.

The auction will commence at 6.30 pm tonight at Smith & Singer, 30 Queen Street, Woollahra.   Register to bid now.

The December 2023 sale features an impressive selection of dazzling diamonds and stunning coloured gemstones alongside highly sought-after designer and signed jewels.  Spectacular pieces by Bulgari, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston, and Ilias Lalaounis are complemented by watches from Piaget, Franck Muller, Hublot, and Audemars Piguet and a selection of enchanting Objects of Virtu.

A particular highlight of the collection is this magnificent Diamond ring (lot 53, estimate $120,000–140,000, pictured above).  

IMPORTANT JEWELS & WATCHES 

The Sydney exhibition for the forthcoming Important Jewels & Watches auction will be open to the public from Monday 4 December – Tuesday 5 December from 10 am – 5 pm, and on Wednesday 6 December from 10 am – 2 pm, at 30 Queen Street, Woollahra.

The December 2023 sale features an impressive selection of dazzling diamonds and stunning coloured gemstones alongside highly sought-after designer and signed jewels.  Spectacular pieces by Bulgari, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston, and Ilias Lalaounis are complemented by watches from Piaget, Franck Muller, Hublot, and Audemars Piguet and a selection of enchanting Objects of Virtu.

A particular highlight of the collection is this magnificent Platinum, sapphire and diamond bracelet, circa 1935 (lot 76, estimate $300,000–400,000, pictured above).  

VIEWINGS

IMPORTANT JEWELS & WATCHES 

The Sydney exhibition for the forthcoming Important Jewels & Watches auction will be open to the public from Saturday 2 December – Tuesday 5 December from 10 am – 5 pm, and on Wednesday 6 December from 10 am – 2 pm, at 30 Queen Street, Woollahra.

The December 2023 sale features an impressive selection of dazzling diamonds and stunning coloured gemstones alongside highly sought-after designer and signed jewels.  Spectacular pieces by Bulgari, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston, and Ilias Lalaounis are complemented by watches from Piaget, Franck Muller, Hublot, and Audemars Piguet and a selection of enchanting Objects of Virtu.

A particular highlight of the collection is this magnificent Diamond ring (lot 53, estimate $120,000–140,000, pictured above).  

VIEWINGS

IMPORTANT AUSTRALIAN ART

Pictured top  Lot 14 SIDNEY NOLAN 1917-1992    Desert Bird 1948   enamel paint on composition board  90.2 x 120.7 cm Estimate $500,000–700,000 Sold for $1,625,000 on 21 November 2023 © The Sidney Nolan Trust. All rights reserved. DACS/Copyright Agency, 2023 VIEW LOT	Pictured above Lot 17 CHARLES BLACKMAN 1928-2018    Girl with Flowers (1958)    oil on composition board    150 x 132 cm    Estimate $700,000–900,000 Sold for $1,250,000 on 21 November 2023 © Charles Blackman/Copyright Agency, 2023 VIEW LOT

IMPORTANT AUSTRALIAN ART

The exhibition will be on view in Sydney today, Tuesday 21 November, 10 am to 5 pm, at 30 Queen Street, Woollahra.

Among the highlights of the sale is Charles Blackman’s magnificent Girl with Flowers (1958) (lot 17, estimate $700,000–900,000, pictured above).

Whilst Charles Blackman is best-known for his series of ‘Schoolgirl’ and ‘Alice in Wonderland’ subjects, there is a third sequence of major consequence: the works generally described as his ‘Girls and Flowers’ or ‘Faces and Flowers’ paintings.  Created during the late 1950s, these remarkable images are progressively assuming their rightful position as both a highlight of Blackman’s extensive oeuvre as well as a seminal component within the history of figurative painting in twentieth century Australian art.

Offered for auction for the first time, we are honoured to present Girl with Flowers, created during one of the most desirable periods in Blackman’s career and included in the seminal Antipodean exhibition in August 1959.

The auction will be held at the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia, 111 Queen Street, Woollahra at 6.30 pm on 21 November 2023.

For more information, please contact:

IMPORTANT AUSTRALIAN ART

The exhibition will be on view in Sydney from Friday 17 November – Tuesday 21 November, 10 am to 5 pm, at 30 Queen Street, Woollahra.

Among the highlights of the sale is Howard Arkley’s spectacular Shadow Factories 1991 (lot 12, estimate $800,000–1,000,000, pictured above).

Shadow Factories, a work of complexity and exuberance, bursts with a disruptive profusion of colours, shapes, patterns and textures.  One can sense Arkley’s delight in selecting and collaging from magazine cuttings and interior design swatches that were then photocopied, projected onto the canvas, and meticulously coloured, undergoing their own construction and transformation.

One of only seven major compositions on the cityscape theme in Arkley’s remarkable oeuvre – all of which are tightly held in private collections – the present Shadow Factories forms the last in the sequence.  Offered for the first time for public sale, Shadow Factories remains a composition of enduring appeal that represents a defining moment within the history and development of twentieth century Australian art.

The auction will be held at the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia, 111 Queen Street, Woollahra at 6.30 pm on 21 November 2023.

For more information, please contact: