An Introduction to Toovey’s Contemporary Art Auction 2011

Contemporary Sculpture by Eve Shepherd, 'Masquerade'
Eve Shepherd's 'Masquerade'

We at TOOVEY’S Antique & Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers are pleased to announce our fifth sale of Contemporary Art at Auction, this year in association with Horsham Museum.

The ethos of these sales has always been to promote the arts in Sussex by creating a refreshingly different way for artists to showcase their work in this county.  We are delighted that Horsham Museum & Art Gallery share this same outlook, deciding to exhibit many of the artworks in this catalogue in the ‘Hung, Drawn and Displayed’ exhibition.  The medieval timber-framed building in Horsham’s picturesque Causeway provides a contrasting backdrop for this diverse selection of 21st century art.

We hope that the auction will reciprocate this support by acting as a stimulus for people to visit the museum and preview some of the works in the sale.  Horsham Museum features a stunning collection of local and national importance and is free to enter.

Toovey’s support of the arts is not limited to these auctions.  In addition to our on-going support of Horsham Museum & Art Gallery and Worthing Museum & Art Gallery, this May we are sponsoring the HOUSE festival in Brighton and the Brighton Open.  The Brighton Open is a fascinating fridge magnet exhibition on the seafront of Brighton on the 7th May, where you can rearrange the artworks and even take your favourite image home with you for free.

In addition, I have been approached by Sussex Life magazine to write a regular feature on contemporary Sussex artists.  The first two articles were published in the March and April issues.

For collectors and patrons, the auction offers an exciting platform for the acquisition of art by established and emerging names.  Drawing on 15 years of experience in the resale art market, I have selected all the artists on their individual merits, creating a diverse and eclectic fusion of styles.  Many of the artists have featured in our previous auctions, but the list of names always changes and we are delighted with the fantastic selection offered in this year’s sale.

We look forward to welcoming you at our Spring Gardens rooms for the auction on May 28th.  If you are unable to attend the sale, but still wish to bid on any lots, we will be pleased to execute absentee bids on your behalf.  For more information on bidding and buying at our auctions, please visit www.tooveys.com or call our offices on 01903 891955.  Nicholas Toovey FRSA, BA (Hons)

Nicholas Toovey’s second article for Sussex Life

Sussex Life April Issue CoverNicholas Toovey was recently asked by Sussex Life magazine to write a regular feature on contemporary Sussex artists.  He was approached because of his contacts within the art world that he has formed from hosting the annual Contemporary Art Auctions at TOOVEY’S.

It enables Nicholas to further promote artists and the arts in Sussex, an area he is particularly passionate about. His second article published in the April issue of the magazine features the work of Washington-based artist Alison Milner-Gulland.  It is available in the shops now for £3.65.

The Brighton Open Press Release

Which magnet will you choose?

Brighton is about to attract its first magnetic art festival. Event organizer and artist Alban Low has over the past two years established smaller exhibitions across the country from Bath to Manchester. With the kind sponsorship of local fine art and antique auctioneers and valuers, Toovey’s, The Brighton Open will be the biggest and most high profile outdoor magnet exhibition undertaken in England (or even the world). In this distinctive exhibition over 200 artists will be participating and 500 magnetic images will be displayed on the seafront of Brighton from May 7th as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival.

The headline artists for this intriguing new event are Chris Kettle, Alban Low, Jane Denman and Natalie Martin. Featured artists are Sarah Young, Gemma Cumming, Amanda Brownridge, Dean Reddick, Stuart Simler, Bryan Benge, Shyama Ruffell, Peter S. Smith, Citizen Skwith and Glyn Walton. But everyone in the city is invited to take part – not just artists, but doodlers, photographers, children, pensioners, schools and whole local communities.

For this show students of the local Varndean School have been invited to participate, keeping the ethos of the Brighton magnet exhibition ‘open’.

Alban says ‘The Brighton Open will conceptually transform the seafront of Brighton into an open-air museum, where viewers are unusually invited to move artworks around and even take their favourite work of art back home with them – for free’. Collectors can then log onto the website address on the magnet to find out more about their new 5cm x 7cm miniature artwork. Visit www.brightonopen.blogspot.com for more information.

Magnetic Exhibition on Brighton Seafront
The Brighton Open Magnet Exhibition

Nicholas Toovey’s first article for Sussex Life

Nicholas Toovey was recently asked by Sussex Life magazine to write a regular feature on contemporary Sussex artists.  He was approached because of his contacts within the art world that he has formed from hosting the annual Contemporary Art Auctions at TOOVEY’S.

It enables Nicholas to further promote artists and the arts in Sussex, an area he is particularly passionate about.  His first article on Brighton-based artist Chris Kettle was published in the March issue of the magazine and is available in the shops now for £3.65.