HMVNipper
Oct 19, 2001, 05:12 AM
Found this on one of my other lists...I'm going to try to go down to that gallery today and see if I can also get a catalogue.
************
Fleetwood Owen Announces Sale of Stuart Sutcliffe Estate
Former Beatle Member's Art and Artifacts Expected to Sell for More Than 4.5 Million
Paintings Compared to Pollack, DeKooning and Kline
Press Conference Kicking Off Viewing and Sale Period October 16th 2001 In New York
Westwood Gallery, 578 Broadway (at Prince Street), New York, 11:00 a.m.
Critically Acclaimed Collection on Display Oct. 16 - Nov. 3
To Be Auctioned By Sealed Bid October 16th - December 5th 2001
Each of the Paintings, Sketches and Artifacts to Be Sold as One Lot With Full Copyright and Will Represent the First Time a Beatle's History Has Been Offered for Sale in Its Entirety.
NEW YORK, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Fleetwood Owen, the premier entertainment
auction house founded by Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac, and auction pioneer Ted Owen, announces the viewing and sale of the Estate of Stuart Sutcliffe, the legendary "fifth Beatle." Sutcliffe, whose life story is
told in the 1994 movie "Backbeat," was considered one of the most promising artists of his time when he died suddenly at the age of 21.
A press conference kicking off the lot's display and bidding period will take place in New York on October 16, 11:00 a.m. at the Westwood Gallery in Soho, a fine art gallery specializing in contemporary and modern
masters of painting, drawing, photography and sculpture. The conference will be
attended by Stuart Sutcliffe's sister Pauline Sutcliffe, Shelagh Johnston, general manager of The Beatles Story museum in Liverpool, and Terry Stewart, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, as well as Mr. Fleetwood and Mr. Owen. Also attending the conference will be
distinguished art critic, historian and author Donald Kuspit, professor of Art History and philosophy at State University New York, Stonybrook, who will be writing a review of Sutcliffe's work to be released later in the month. $150,000 of the proceeds from the sale, taking place through
closed bidding October 16th to December 5th 2001, will be donated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
The Estate of Stuart Sutcliffe is comprised of paintings, drawings, sketches, personal artifacts, poetry, song lyrics and the artist's complete private correspondence between the Beatles, his family and loved ones.
Included in the collection are 88 finished framed or matted paintings and drawings from two distinct periods, as well as hundreds of sketches -- some finished and some unfinished -- that show his progression as an
artist over the course of a decade. The lot also includes photographs taken of him and
other Beatles by his then-girlfriend, noted photographer Astrid Kirchherr, as well as personal items such as his first guitar, and notes on how the Beatles should portray themselves. Because the lot comes with full
copyright, it is expected that a buyer will reproduce Sutcliffe's work and give it full exposure to the world.
Sutcliffe began his art training in 1955 at the Liverpool College of Art, where he learned about art history and the many forms of art expression that were becoming a part of the current culture. There, he created
figurative sketches and pen and ink drawings and after five years of studying and painting, he began to interpret his feelings through Abstract Expressionism, which was fast becoming a force in the art world. While in Hamburg from 1960 to 1962, Sutcliffe began to demonstrate strength of movement and free expression that shows he was clearly influenced by the great artists
of his time including Jackson Pollack, Willem DeKooning, Franz Kline and Hans
Hoffman. Up until his death, Stuart was absorbed with his art and the realization that his art was his life. His ability to express his subconscious and feeling were paramount to the reality of the representational world.
Sutcliffe met John Lennon when they were both students at the college, and they immediately became very close friends. Lennon was already in a band, The Quarry Men, with Paul McCartney and George Harrison, but they lacked a bass player. Lennon, knowing Sutcliffe had just sold one of his paintings and could afford a new instrument, convinced his friend to become the newest member of the band. Since then, Sutcliffe has been referred to as the
"fifth Beatle," and is credited with being one of the founders and key influences on the group. "He was like our Art Director," said George Harrison about Sutcliffe. "In a mysterious way [he] was really responsible
for that certain look we had."
Torn between his passion for painting and his allegiance to Lennon, in 1961 he chose to leave the Beatles to pursue his interest in art. Stuart was well on his way to a significant career as an artist when he unexpectedly died of a brain hemorrhage at age 21. Over the years his original and
> > distinctive work has been touted by art buyers, but for the first time it has been officially appraised in preparation of this sale.
"This is an incredibly significant collection of both art and artifacts that chronicles the very early beginnings of one of the most important musical forces in the 20th century," said Terry Stewart, president and CEO, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was very privileged to have it on temporary display during the Summer of 2001."
The early days of the Beatles is rich with behind-the-scenes stories, but almost no one was closer to the inside scoop than Sutcliffe's sister, Pauline. After compiling and protecting the archival collection for
the past 40 years, Ms. Sutcliffe is making her brother's achievements available to the world. Her biography on Stuart's life, titled "Stuart Sutcliffe: The Beatles' Shadow," will be published in November 2001 by Sidgwick & Jackson. In her book, Pauline paints a revealing portrait of the Beatles' formative period, giving a new perception of John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. She tells the truth about Stuart's relationship with Lennon, who was haunted by guilt over her brother's death. And she writes movingly about how, 40 years after his passing, Stuart's talent is being recognized.
As Beatles biographer Hunter Davies wrote, "It's strange to think that by
1962, the one who was looked upon as the cleverest Beatle had died." And,
indeed, Lennon once said, "I looked up to Stu. I depended on him to tell me the truth. Stu would tell me something was good, and I'd believe him."
Fleetwood Owen, which recently orchestrated the sale of Lennon's "Imagine Piano" for over $2 million, won the rights to the Sutcliffe collection in a highly competitive bid among all the major auction houses. This
Sutcliffe auction is one of two large Beatles sales put on by Fleetwood Owen
this year, the next one to be held on Nov. 27, 2001 in London. More details to follow.
For further information, consignment details or to order a printed catalogue please contact Fleetwood Owen at +44-0-207-563-5400
------------------
Rooftop Sessions - The Finest In Beatles-Related Fiction. October 2001 Issue up now! About.com BEST OF THE NET, April 2001! www.rooftopsessions.com (http://www.rooftopsessions.com)
"O superb! O Manhattan, my own, my peerless!/ O strongest you in the hour of danger, in crisis! O truer than steel!" -- Walt Whitman
************
Fleetwood Owen Announces Sale of Stuart Sutcliffe Estate
Former Beatle Member's Art and Artifacts Expected to Sell for More Than 4.5 Million
Paintings Compared to Pollack, DeKooning and Kline
Press Conference Kicking Off Viewing and Sale Period October 16th 2001 In New York
Westwood Gallery, 578 Broadway (at Prince Street), New York, 11:00 a.m.
Critically Acclaimed Collection on Display Oct. 16 - Nov. 3
To Be Auctioned By Sealed Bid October 16th - December 5th 2001
Each of the Paintings, Sketches and Artifacts to Be Sold as One Lot With Full Copyright and Will Represent the First Time a Beatle's History Has Been Offered for Sale in Its Entirety.
NEW YORK, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Fleetwood Owen, the premier entertainment
auction house founded by Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac, and auction pioneer Ted Owen, announces the viewing and sale of the Estate of Stuart Sutcliffe, the legendary "fifth Beatle." Sutcliffe, whose life story is
told in the 1994 movie "Backbeat," was considered one of the most promising artists of his time when he died suddenly at the age of 21.
A press conference kicking off the lot's display and bidding period will take place in New York on October 16, 11:00 a.m. at the Westwood Gallery in Soho, a fine art gallery specializing in contemporary and modern
masters of painting, drawing, photography and sculpture. The conference will be
attended by Stuart Sutcliffe's sister Pauline Sutcliffe, Shelagh Johnston, general manager of The Beatles Story museum in Liverpool, and Terry Stewart, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, as well as Mr. Fleetwood and Mr. Owen. Also attending the conference will be
distinguished art critic, historian and author Donald Kuspit, professor of Art History and philosophy at State University New York, Stonybrook, who will be writing a review of Sutcliffe's work to be released later in the month. $150,000 of the proceeds from the sale, taking place through
closed bidding October 16th to December 5th 2001, will be donated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
The Estate of Stuart Sutcliffe is comprised of paintings, drawings, sketches, personal artifacts, poetry, song lyrics and the artist's complete private correspondence between the Beatles, his family and loved ones.
Included in the collection are 88 finished framed or matted paintings and drawings from two distinct periods, as well as hundreds of sketches -- some finished and some unfinished -- that show his progression as an
artist over the course of a decade. The lot also includes photographs taken of him and
other Beatles by his then-girlfriend, noted photographer Astrid Kirchherr, as well as personal items such as his first guitar, and notes on how the Beatles should portray themselves. Because the lot comes with full
copyright, it is expected that a buyer will reproduce Sutcliffe's work and give it full exposure to the world.
Sutcliffe began his art training in 1955 at the Liverpool College of Art, where he learned about art history and the many forms of art expression that were becoming a part of the current culture. There, he created
figurative sketches and pen and ink drawings and after five years of studying and painting, he began to interpret his feelings through Abstract Expressionism, which was fast becoming a force in the art world. While in Hamburg from 1960 to 1962, Sutcliffe began to demonstrate strength of movement and free expression that shows he was clearly influenced by the great artists
of his time including Jackson Pollack, Willem DeKooning, Franz Kline and Hans
Hoffman. Up until his death, Stuart was absorbed with his art and the realization that his art was his life. His ability to express his subconscious and feeling were paramount to the reality of the representational world.
Sutcliffe met John Lennon when they were both students at the college, and they immediately became very close friends. Lennon was already in a band, The Quarry Men, with Paul McCartney and George Harrison, but they lacked a bass player. Lennon, knowing Sutcliffe had just sold one of his paintings and could afford a new instrument, convinced his friend to become the newest member of the band. Since then, Sutcliffe has been referred to as the
"fifth Beatle," and is credited with being one of the founders and key influences on the group. "He was like our Art Director," said George Harrison about Sutcliffe. "In a mysterious way [he] was really responsible
for that certain look we had."
Torn between his passion for painting and his allegiance to Lennon, in 1961 he chose to leave the Beatles to pursue his interest in art. Stuart was well on his way to a significant career as an artist when he unexpectedly died of a brain hemorrhage at age 21. Over the years his original and
> > distinctive work has been touted by art buyers, but for the first time it has been officially appraised in preparation of this sale.
"This is an incredibly significant collection of both art and artifacts that chronicles the very early beginnings of one of the most important musical forces in the 20th century," said Terry Stewart, president and CEO, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. "The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was very privileged to have it on temporary display during the Summer of 2001."
The early days of the Beatles is rich with behind-the-scenes stories, but almost no one was closer to the inside scoop than Sutcliffe's sister, Pauline. After compiling and protecting the archival collection for
the past 40 years, Ms. Sutcliffe is making her brother's achievements available to the world. Her biography on Stuart's life, titled "Stuart Sutcliffe: The Beatles' Shadow," will be published in November 2001 by Sidgwick & Jackson. In her book, Pauline paints a revealing portrait of the Beatles' formative period, giving a new perception of John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. She tells the truth about Stuart's relationship with Lennon, who was haunted by guilt over her brother's death. And she writes movingly about how, 40 years after his passing, Stuart's talent is being recognized.
As Beatles biographer Hunter Davies wrote, "It's strange to think that by
1962, the one who was looked upon as the cleverest Beatle had died." And,
indeed, Lennon once said, "I looked up to Stu. I depended on him to tell me the truth. Stu would tell me something was good, and I'd believe him."
Fleetwood Owen, which recently orchestrated the sale of Lennon's "Imagine Piano" for over $2 million, won the rights to the Sutcliffe collection in a highly competitive bid among all the major auction houses. This
Sutcliffe auction is one of two large Beatles sales put on by Fleetwood Owen
this year, the next one to be held on Nov. 27, 2001 in London. More details to follow.
For further information, consignment details or to order a printed catalogue please contact Fleetwood Owen at +44-0-207-563-5400
------------------
Rooftop Sessions - The Finest In Beatles-Related Fiction. October 2001 Issue up now! About.com BEST OF THE NET, April 2001! www.rooftopsessions.com (http://www.rooftopsessions.com)
"O superb! O Manhattan, my own, my peerless!/ O strongest you in the hour of danger, in crisis! O truer than steel!" -- Walt Whitman