Art Market Report: The Mal & Lizzie Brow Collection at Art + Object

How many items comprise a collection?  This was a question we were asked as students when I undertook post graduate study.  The answer, was three.  And if this definition is true, then the group of artworks on sale at Art + Object, belonging to Mal and Lizzie Brow certainly fits the bill.  'Collections within collections' was how Art + Object Director Ben Plumbly to described the sale.  Mal Brow was a prominent figure in Wellington’s art scene, known both as a collector and as the founder of the not-for-profit gallery 30 Upstairs on Cuba Street.

 The collection, largely acquired in the 2000s, includes multiple works by Seraphine Pick, Tony Delatour, and Rohan Wealleans—at least five examples by each artist and many other of their contemporaries such as Michael Parekowhai, Shane Cotton and Michael Harrison were represented by multiple examples. The Brows were also avid photography collectors, and contemporary Australian art featured prominently. Their upcoming move to Melbourne prompted the sale.

Night one, the live sale, delivered strong results for painter Andrew McLeod, one of New Zealand’s most sought-after contemporary artists. His works are rarely available, typically presold before exhibitions open and auction may be the only viable way to acquire a work at the current time. McLeod’s richly detailed, imaginative reinterpretations of Renaissance and Victorian styles contrast with the current trend of large abstract paintings. Three of his works achieved top prices within the sale: Classical Scene with Turquoise and Ochre (lot 43) sold for $71,000, Landscape with Watermelon (lot 44) reached $72,000, and CN (Portrait with Purple Flowers) (lot 6)exceeded its $25,000 reserve, selling for $32,000. Interestingly, all three were purchased by the same in room bidder on the night.

Another artist with a similarly limited output and high demand is Liz Maw, who happens to be McLeod’s partner. The Brows’ collection included just one of her works, but it was a significant one: a larger-than-life portrait of fellow artist Francis Upritchard (lot 38), first exhibited at Artspace in 2010 when the artist was offered her first institutional exhibition. Instead of filling the space, she chose to exhibit this one work. The meticulously painted portrait was left with blank eyes giving a haunting, surreal look. The low estimate of $85,000 was almost met on the day, selling subject to a room buyer and later transacted for $93,200 buyer’s fees included.

Mid-career artist Seraphine Pick, recently named one of New Zealand’s newest Arts Laureates, one of the most prestigious art awards in New Zealand was well represented in the Brow collection. Six portraits of women from a larger group exhibited at Te Manawa Gallery in 1997 were included in day one. I was expecting more competition for these beautiful works, three of which are the artist’s only self-portraits. Face No. 4 (lot 85) and Portrait – Face No Eyes (lot 86) both sold for $6,500 after a bidding contest between two in-room buyers. The under bidder giving up graciously when she saw the top bidder was determined. Tattoo No. 1 (lot 91) fetched the highest price in the group at $7,750 selling to a different client in the room.

Top price in the sale went to Michael Smither’s painting The Diver (lot 41) which was a reluctant sell – apparently it was one of the Brows’ favourite works. It’s not hard to see why, it’s a very striking painting, the elongated figure of the diver commands the center of the picture plane, cutting a strong vertical line against the azure background. Multiple bidders turned out on the night to bid on the painting, both online and in the room, and from a low start at $120,000 took it to $167,500 before a new online bidder entered the auction. It sold at $170,000, just over the low estimate of $165,000.

The most hotly contested work on the night was Michael Parekowhai’s Rainbow Servant Dreaming (lot 20). These popular works, made in 2005 have seen an incredible price increase of late, especially considering they are a multiple with no edition provided. The Brow’s work was the larger sized inward facing example. As recently as November 2023, a pair sold for $70,000 which seemed amazing at the time, so it was even more surprising when the single example in this sale made $59,000 off a $20,000 reserve.

The second night’s sale was online-only, though the works had been physically displayed at Art + Object. Photography dominated this session, alongside original works with lower estimates. In this offering, some iconic international photographs went unsold, including Mark Seliger’s Gisele Bündchen (lot 153) and Steve McCurry’s Afghan Girl (Gula) (lot 154). However, American photographer, Arthur Leipzig who spent decades photographing the inhabitants of New York, found success with Divers, East River (lot 100), which sold for $7,500 against a $4,000 reserve.

Closer to home, Peter Peryer was well represented with nine works, selling consistently. His large-format photograph Lake (lot 176) achieved the top price of $11,500, more than double its $5,000 reserve. The same image sold for just $6,000 a decade ago. Works by Ans Westra and Bill Culbert sold near their low estimates.

Analyzing the data after the sale, it appears that buyers were selective in the works they sought. Where multiple works by the same artist were offered, it wasn’t unusual to see one work contested but others receive little interest. There were very few works that breezed through the estimates – most sold towards the low end of the range.

New Zealand’s economic outlook could well have contributed to the overall results of this sale. While not technically in recession now, the past two years have been financially challenging for many businesses across different industries meaning less spending money in the market.

This contemporary collection likely appealed to younger buyers - those who are currently facing reduced disposable income and more job insecurity. Although the owners may have hoped to sell more before relocating to Australia, they might be content to retain some of the pieces of what was clearly a very personal and meaningful collection.

The overall clearance rate for both days was 54%, with a total sale value of $1,281,898 (including buyer’s premium plus GST).

All prices are hammer, unless indicated otherwise.

 Briar Williams | October 2025 - Article originally published on www.aasd.com.au