Auction recap / Bonhams
Bonhams Realizes $1,239,124 in Made in California and Beyond Auction
The regional survey achieved a 92% sell-through rate, led by a unique Chris Burden sculpture and a glass microsphere canvas by Mary Corse.
Auction highlights
Estimate$30–50KSold$152,900
MARY CORSE (B. 1945) Untitled (Beveled Inner Band) 36 x 36 in (91.4 x 91.4 cm) (Painted in 2004)
Estimate$40–60KSold$114,800
NATHAN OLIVEIRA (1928-2010) Young Girl 80 x 66 1/2 in (203.2 x 168.9 cm) (Painted in 1962)
Estimate$60–80KSold$89,400
RETNA (B. 1979) Untitled 114 x 163 in (289.6 x 414 cm) (Painted in 2018)
Estimate$30–50KSold$70,350
JOHN REGISTER (1936-1996) Vacancy 40 x 50 in (101.6 x 127 cm) (Painted in 1994)
Estimate$40–60KSold—
Estimate$30–50KSold$58,880
Estimate$40–60KSold$46,080
Estimate$40–60KSold$38,400
Estimate$15–20KSold$35,840
LEE MULLICAN (1919-1998) Dance of the Elders 39 3/4 x 49 3/4 in (101 x 126.4 cm) (Painted in 1971)
Estimate$8–12KSold$33,280
GEORGE CONDO (B. 1957) The Albatross 11 x 9 in (27.9 x 22.9 cm) (Painted in 1984)
Estimate$20–30KSold$30,720
DEBORAH BUTTERFIELD (B. 1949) Untitled 20 x 29 x 10 1/2 in (50.8 73.7 x 26.7 cm) (Executed in 1980)
Estimate$12–18KSold$30,720
Estimate track marks the pre-sale range; the tick marks the sold price. Lot photography: Courtesy Bonhams.
Contextual data provided by Pricing Culture Analytics; this is not an exhaustive list. Pricing Culture Analytics organizes publicly available auction data to analyze and produce insights.
In a sale that closed on 17 September 2026, Bonhams presented its regional survey, "Made in California and Beyond." The auction realized a total of $1,239,124,[1] with 69 of 75 lots sold, representing a 92% sell-through[1] rate. Bonhams published the official results page confirming these totals for the sale. The curation highlighted the diverse material practices of West Coast artists, spanning conceptual sculpture, Light and Space canvases, and Bay Area figurative painting.
Among the notable consignments was Chris Burden's unique sculpture Viagra Tower, which was acquired directly from the artist by the present owner. Burden, widely recognized for his provocative 1970s performance art, explored structural interventions in public space through his sculptural practice, utilizing stainless steel reproduction and erector parts on a wood base for this 2011 work. Another key lot was Mary Corse's Untitled (Beveled Inner Band), a 2004 canvas featuring glass microspheres in acrylic. The piece was acquired by descent from the collection of Susan Stockel, who originally purchased it from Ace Gallery in Los Angeles.
Auction highlights
Sale file- CHRIS BURDEN (1946-2015) Viagra Tower 72 x 25 1/2 x 25 1/2 in (182.9 x 64.8 x 64.8 cm) (This work is unique. Executed in 2011. ) | estimate $30,000 to[7][5][2] $50,000 | sold for $152,900[2][2]
- MARY CORSE (B. 1945) Untitled (Beveled Inner Band) 36 x 36 in (91.4 x 91.4 cm) (Painted in 2004) | estimate $40,000 to[9][8][6][3] $60,000[6] | sold for $114,800[3][3]
- NATHAN OLIVEIRA (1928-2010) Young Girl 80 x 66 1/2 in (203.2 x 168.9 cm) (Painted in 1962) | estimate $60,000 to[4] $80,000 | sold for $89,400[4][4]
- RETNA (B. 1979) Untitled 114 x 163 in (289.6 x 414 cm) (Painted in 2018) | estimate $30,000 to $50,000 | sold for $70,350[5][5]
- JOHN REGISTER (1936-1996) Vacancy 40 x 50 in (101.6 x 127 cm) (Painted in 1994) | estimate $40,000 to $60,000
- LARRY BELL (B. 1939) Cube #18 12 x 12 x 12 in (30.5 x 30.5 x 30.5 cm)Height with plexiglass base: 52 1/4 in (132.7 cm) (Executed in 2007) | estimate $30,000 to $50,000 | sold for $58,880[7][7]
- JIM DINE (B. 1935) The Japanese Paper Company 25 x 21 x 5 1/4 in (63.5 x 53.3 x 13.4 cm) (Painted in 1983) | estimate $40,000 to $60,000 | sold for $46,080[8][8]
- VIOLA FREY (1933-2004) Standing Woman III 92 x 29 x 21 in (233.7 x 73.7 x 53.3 cm) (Executed in 2003) | estimate $40,000 to $60,000 | sold for $38,400[9][9]
The figurative tradition of Northern California was represented by Nathan Oliveira's Young Girl, an oil on canvas painted in 1962. Consigned from a prominent Bay Area collection, the painting was previously exhibited at the UCLA Art Galleries during its 1963-64 tour and was featured in a November 1963 review in Artforum. From the contemporary street art scene, the sale also featured an untitled 2018 canvas by Retna, which was consigned from the collection of Alvin "Xzibit" Joiner. The large-scale work showcases Retna's signature calligraphic style, which blends elements of Gothic blackletter, Egyptian hieroglyphics, and urban culture.
Sources
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