Wright presents the Shein Collection in the April Living Modern & Contemporary auction

CHICAGO, IL.- Wright’s highly anticipated lifestyle auction, Living Contemporary, mixes modern and contemporary art with 20th century design. Notable in the sale is an outstanding selection of studio ephemera and artwork by Christopher Wool, including a subversive business card and an early word painting with PRANKSTER broken over three lines (estimates range from $200 to $200,000). The works by Wool, belonging to a former longtime studio assistant, have never before been presented at auction.

Also featured is the collection of Joseph and Janet Shein, who have spent the past fifty years collecting contemporary, folk and outsider art. Their unique vision is exemplified by the eclecticism of their collection, where superb modern paintings are presented alongside folk art and objects. Significant among the Shein collection is a large portrait by Barkley Hendricks, Stanley (estimate: $200,000-300,000), Continuel Mobile Transparent, a sculpture by the Argentinian artist Julio Le Parc (estimate: $100,000-150,000) and Will Barnet’s Woman Reading, the iconic work that was the basis for the print reproductions (estimate: $50,000-70,000). A collection of American washboards, two 19th century weathervanes and a scarab beetle sculpture that is memorabilia from a political campaign (estimates range from $1,000 to $2,000) are all excellent examples of folk art from the Shein’s extraordinary collection.

Paintings and sculptures by Victor Vasarely are included in the sale. Estimates range from $3,000 to $70,000

Modern, Pop and contemporary art figures prominently in Living Contemporary with All American Nude by Tom Wesselmann (estimate: $30,000-40,000), paintings and sculptures by Victor Vasarely (estimates range from $3,000 to $70,000), works by Robert Rauschenberg (estimates range from $1,000 to $30,000) and three paintings by Kenny Scharf (estimates: $20,000-30,000 each) among the selection. A superb assortment of photography includes works by Candida Höfer (estimate: $50,000-70,000 each), Thomas Struth (estimates: $10,000-15,000 each), and a collection of fifty-eight photographs by Wingate Paine (estimate: $10,000-15,000).

In the spirit of a truly contemporary lifestyle, these works of art are featured alongside exceptional and accessible examples of design including a Woosh sofa by Zaha Hadid (estimate: $30,000-50,000), a custom dining table by John Vesey (estimate: $20,000-30,000), a pair of Diamonte table lamps by Paolo Venini and Carlo Scarpa (estimate: $10,000-15,000), as well as a collection of six candlesticks by Donald Drumm (estimate: $1,000-1,500), a signature rope-covered stool by Christian Astuguevieille (estimate: $1,000-1,500) and a set of six wall lights by Charlotte Perriand (estimate: $3,000-4,000).

Edited for both beginning and experienced collectors alike, the broad spectrum of offerings in Living Contemporary make it among the most exciting auctions of the year. From chic designs to works of rarity and importance, this sale defines high style.

Join Wright in celebrating this inspired and thoughtfully curated sale on April 25, 2013; Living Contemporary begins at 12:00 pm central and directly follows Pablo Picasso: Master Drawings from an Important Private Collection. Each work will be featured in their specialized, full-color auction catalog as well as online at www.wright20.com. Gallery preview runs April 18th to the 24th, from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday and Sunday by appointment.