A surprising discovery in the United Kingdom led to a painting by renowned Dunedin artist Colin McCahon selling for over $31,000, far exceeding its initial estimated value of $200. The artwork, titled ‘Truth from the King Country: Load bearing structures’, was originally expected to fetch £80-100 (NZ$180-220) at John Nicholson’s auctioneers. However, it ultimately sold for £14,000 (NZ$31,220) to a New Zealand buyer, outbidding interested parties from Australia.
The painting was identified as a work by Colin McCahon on the day of the sale by the auction house’s publicist, Lucas Field Media. Despite being catalogued as a 20th Century School piece, possibly Australian, the 23cm x 33cm acrylic on canvas board artwork turned out to be a valuable McCahon creation from 1978. The signature on the back of the painting, initially unrecognizable, along with the ‘T’ motif, helped in confirming its authenticity.
Notably, the Colin McCahon Trust, responsible for verifying McCahon artworks, was not approached to validate the painting prior to its sale. The trust emphasized the importance of their verification process in upholding the integrity of McCahon’s body of work, which includes creating a digital archive for public access.
The Colin McCahon Legacy Project, launched recently, aims to document all of McCahon’s works to provide a comprehensive record of his artistic legacy. With over 900 works in private collections yet to be researched, the trust encourages owners of potential McCahon artworks to reach out for confidential discussions.
Colin McCahon’s significance in New Zealand’s art history is undeniable, and the trust remains committed to preserving and sharing his extraordinary contributions with a wider audience.
