Adams sale of Art from The Irish Bank Resolution Corporation exceeds expectations!
Well, the results are in from Adams’ auction of Art from The Irish Bank Resolution Corporation and while the sale raised more than anticipated – €281,000 against the pre-sale estimate of €150,000-200,000 – it says more about the ability of James Adams’ marketing department than the shrewdness of purchases by Anglo Irish Bank. I wonder how much was spent on their original acquisition?
Pauline Bewick’s six wonderful paintings exceeded their pre-sale estimates and contributed some €44k or about 15% of the total proceeds of the sale. Inexplicably, rubbish by Felim Egan and Sean Scully continues to find buyers but surely it can only be as an investment? Just like property, the chickens will come home to roost one day. I mean would you really hang this on your wall?
134 lots were offered for sale and only 9 remained unsold. The most expensive item was a painting by artist Stephen McKenna which was sold for €17,000.
The full results may be viewed here: 
The Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Ltd Art Sale at James Adams – Weds.3rd September, 2013
Judging from most of the offerings contained in Adams forthcoming sale http://www.adams.ie/The-Irish-Bank-Resolution-Corporation-Ltd-In-special-Liquidation-Art-Collection/03-09-2013?gridtype=listview from The Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, the bankers were as poor investors in Art as they were in running the banks. Amongst the works on offer there are pages of low grade abstract art prints (!) by Sean Scully, and mixed media by Felim Egan – both once very much in vogue with the intelligentsia of Corporate Ireland. In fairness, to Adams, they can only sell what’s before them but there’s mighty little worthy of wall space in the sale and I will await the results with interest. The six wonderful Pauline Bewick paintings stand out like beacons amongst the dross; there’s some value – and art – amongst the cheaper lots by lesser known artists. Paintings that you would enjoy looking at and showing off to your friends.
Above one of the finest paintings in the sale and below some overpriced office boardroom/hotel lobby fodder.
Collect Ireland 