One of Kununurra’s most prominent art spaces will go out with a bang this month, with every piece inside Artopia Gallery set to go under the hammer in a major fundraiser for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
The one-off event on August 30 will coincide with the Outback Air Race’s triennial event that will stop in Kununurra, marking one month before the gallery temporarily closes its doors.
“Every piece of art in the gallery will be up for auction for fundraising,” owner Cally Bugg said.
Among the highlights is Beyond the Beehives by Nadeen Lovell — this monumental piece is a 16-metre-long, eight-panel depiction of the Bungles, billed as the biggest painting ever done by an Australian woman.
The work, currently in Perth, will be shown locally through large-scale prints for prospective buyers and carries a reserve price of $375,000.
“I’ve been given permission by Nadeen Lovell to sell Beyond the Beehives,” Ms Bugg said.
With the significant value of the works, some high-profile bidders are tipped to take part, possibly via representatives if they cannot attend in person.
Ten per cent of the reserve price will be donated to RFDS from Ms Bugg’s commission, with anything above the reserve going directly to the service.
The auction will also feature a Jeanne Barnes piece “Connections”, with gold leaf and 152 carats of rough diamonds and also a 2.5-metre curved painting by Suzy French, with Pickles Auctions national manager James Chauncy running the live auctions for the most significant works.
While the iconic space at 144 Konkerberry Drive will close temporarily, Ms Bugg will continue to operate out of her other premises, Artopia Framing and Photography, and maintain a presence online.
She also confirmed plans for a future gallery at the new 4.5 star Best Western Cambridge Resort in Kununurra with the venue expected to be ready by the middle of next year.
“It’s a new chapter,” Ms Bugg said.
“I want it to be exciting. I’ve been here 17 years, and I really love this town, and I try, in lots of different ways, to bring a bit of sparkle.”
She stressed the closure was temporary.
“I’m not closing down or leaving — this is just a little break for something much more exciting. Watch this space!”
https://thewest.com.au/news/broome-advertiser/artopia-gallery-paintings-to-go-under-the-hammer-to-raise-funds-for-rfds–c-19667300
