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Lot 51: BILLY APPLE Frieze (Green)

Est: $30,000 NZD - $60,000 NZDPassed
Webb’s – Specialist Auctioneers’Auckland, New ZealandNovember 23, 2020

Item Overview

Description

Billy Apple

Frieze (Green)

2007

acrylic on canvas

800 x 1800mm

PROVENANCE

Private collection, Auckland.

Billy Apple - Frieze (Green)

Essay by SYLVIA BURGESS

Produced in 2007, this work by Billy Apple references many aspects of the artist's long career as one of the most remarkable artists in Aotearoa. Vibrant green on a white background, bearing the artist's name, the apple is a careful study of aesthetics. The apple motif marks the evolution of Billy Apple not just as an artist but also as a brand.

Born Barrie Bates in Auckland in 1935, Apple's transformation came not long after his graduation from the Royal College of Arts in London. Aided by Lady Clairol Instant Crème Whip, used to bleach the artist's eyebrows and hair, Billy Apple was born. The choice of apple is significant, selected by the artist before the rise of the now saturated Apple computer logo. Billy Apple recognised the alluring draw of the simple fruit, so tempting it led to the first recorded sin.

The work is undoubtedly pop in its aesthetic and sits within the language of branding and advertising. Apple has always found himself in the thick of pop-art history making, graduating from the RCA alongside Derek Boshier, David Hockney, Allen Jones, R. B. Kitaj and other rising British pop artists. On his arrival in New York, he immediately slotted into the booming world of pop art. Apple holds the significant title of being the only artist from the Southern Hemisphere to have exhibited in the iconic American Supermarket exhibition at the Bianchini Gallery. This show was a who's who of great pop artists at the time and introduced the wider public to the genre. Presented as a supermarket, all products available for purchase were made by artists including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns and New Zealand's own Billy Apple. Apple's contributions included a half-eaten watermelon slice made of bronze and of course his apples, presented on badges, not yet pared back to the iconic motif we see on this canvas today.

Since moving back to New Zealand Apple has further developed his image as the artist-as-brand. He officially trademarked his name in 2008 and now has a line of ciders all bearing the same iconic apple logo.

Although simple, Frieze (Green) references a decades-long refinement of a career that has established artist-as-brand and artist-as-commodity. Clearly referencing pop imagery, this work also interrogates many of the current dilemmas of the art world. Do you buy the work or the artist's name? Is the value in the idea or the aesthetic? This is all done through a clean logo of an apple bearing the artist's name, repeated in the two half apples, cut off as if to show there is a continuation of Billy Apple's work extending beyond the canvas.

Artist or Maker

Payment & Shipping

Payment

Accepted forms of payment: American Express, COD (cash on delivery), MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Other, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

SHIPPING
For shipping both national and international we recommend the services of Pack and Send Ltd, who work closely with our business to enable the safe return of your new purchase.
All costs associated with the freight of your goods (packaging, shipping, consumables etc) are to be paid by the purchaser, in addition to the winning bid.

Details for Pack and Sends are listed below, or please feel free to organise another contractor of your choice.

Pack and Send Ltd
+64 9 909 9099
aucklandcity@packsend.co.nz
Contact: Neel

COLLECTION
Purchases are to be taken away at the buyer's expense immediately after the sale once payment in full has been made. If this is not done, Mosgreen-Webb's will not be responsible if the lot is lost stolen damaged or destroyed. Any payment by cheque will not be considered paid until the payment has cleared. Any items not collected within seven days of the auction may be subject to a storage and insurance fee. A receipted invoice must be produced prior to delivery of any lot.

Auction Details

Works of Art

by
Webb’s – Specialist Auctioneers’
November 23, 2020, 06:30 PM NZST

33a Normanby Rd Mt Eden, Auckland, 1024, NZ

Terms

Buyer's Premium

17.5%

Bidding Increments

From:To:Increment:
$0$499$20
$500$999$50
$1,000$1,999$100
$2,000$4,999$200
$5,000$9,999$500
$10,000$19,999$1,000
$20,000$49,999$2,000
$50,000$99,999$5,000
$100,000$199,999$10,000
$200,000$499,999$20,000
$500,000+$50,000

Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions For Buyers

1. BIDDING
The highest bidder shall be the purchaser subject to the auctioneer having the right to refuse the bid of any person. Should any dispute arise as to the bidding the lot in dispute will be immediately put up for sale again at the preceding bid or the auctioneer may declare the purchaser which declaration shall be conclusive. No person shall advance less as a bid than the sum nominated by the auctioneer. A bid may be withdrawn before the auctioneer declares that bidding on a lot is closed.
2. RESERVES
All lots are sold subject to the right of the seller or his agent to impose a reserve.
3. REGISTRATION
Purchasers shall complete a bidding card before the sale giving their own correct name address and telephone number. It is accepted by bidders that the supply of false information on a bidding card shall be interpreted as deliberate fraud.
4. BUYERS' PREMIUM
The purchaser accepts that Mossgreen-Webb's will apply a buyer's premium which is charged in addition to the hammer price (unless otherwise stated) together with GST on the premium, which combined sum shall be the total purchase price. The rate of Buyers Premium is published in each catalogue online in conjunction with the catalogue. Please note that there is a minimum Buyers' Premium of 17.5%.
5. PAYMENT
Payment for all items purchased is due on the day of sale immediately following completion of the sale. If full payment cannot be made on the day of sale a deposit of 10% of the total sum due must be made on the day of sale and the balance must be paid, in clear funds, within 5 working days. Mossgreen Webbs accepts Cash, Eftpos, Visa and Mastercard (with a 2.2% merchant fee) and Amex (with a 3.3% merchant fee). Personal Cheques are accepted though goods will not be released until funds are cleared.
Please note: Credit Card details taken over the phone or fax are subject to a $5,000 limit. The card holder must be present to sign any amounts in excess of this limit.
6. LOTS SOLD AS VIEWED
All lots are sold as viewed and with all errors to description faults and imperfections whether visible or not. Mossgreen-Webb's has used its skills and experience to ensure the genuineness or authenticity of each lot but, as it is impossible to provide conclusive proof of genuineness or authenticity for most items, buyers should proceed upon their own judgement. Buyers shall be deemed to have inspected the lots or to have made enquiries to their complete satisfaction prior to sale and by the act of bidding shall be deemed to be satisfied with the lots in all respects.
7. Mossgreen-Webb's ACT AS AGENTS
They have full discretion to conduct all aspects of the sale and to withdraw any lot from the sale without giving any reason.
8. COLLECTION
Purchases are to be taken away at the buyer's expense immediately after the sale once payment in full has been made. If this is not done, Mossgreen-Webb's will not be responsible if the lot is lost stolen damaged or destroyed. Any payment by cheque will not be considered paid until the payment has cleared.
Any items not collected within seven days of the auction may be subject to a storage and insurance fee. A receipted invoice must be produced prior to delivery of any lot.
9. LICENCES
Buyers who purchase an item which falls within the provisions of the Antiquities Act 1975 or the Arms Act 1958 cannot take possession of that item until they have shown to Mossgreen-Webb's a license under the appropriate Act.
10. FAILURE TO MAKE PAYMENT
If a purchaser fails either to pay for or take away any lot Mossgreen-Webb's shall without further notice to the purchaser at its absolute discretion and without prejudice to any other rights or remedies it may have be entitled to exercise one or more of the following rights or remedies:
a. To issue proceeding against the purchaser for damages for breach of contract.
b. To rescind the sale of that or any other lot sold to the purchaser at the same
or any other auction.
c. To resell the lot by public or private sale. Any deficiency resulting from such resale, after giving credit to the purchaser for any part payment together with all costs incurred in connection with the lot, shall be paid to Mossgreen-Webb's by the purchaser. Any surplus over the proceeds of sale shall belong to the seller and in this condition the expression "proceeds of sale" shall have the same meaning in relation to a sale by private treaty as it has in relation to a sale by auction.
d. To store the lot whether at Mossgreen-Webb's own premises or elsewhere at the sole expense of the purchaser and to release the lot only after the purchase price has been paid in full plus the accrued cost of removal storage and all other costs connected to the lot.
e. To charge interest on the purchase price at a rate 2% above Mossgreen-Webb's bankers' then current rate for commercial overdraft facilities to the extent that the price or any part of it remains unpaid for more than seven days from the date of the sale.
f. To retain possession of that or any other lot purchased by the purchaser at that or any other auction and to release the same only after payment of money due.
g. To apply the proceeds of sale of any lot then or subsequently due to the purchaser towards settlement of money due to Mossgreen-Webb's or it's vendor. Mossgreen-Webb's shall be entitled to a possessory lien on any property of the purchaser for any purpose while any money remains unpaid under this contract.
h. To apply any payment made by the purchaser to Mossgreen-Webb's towards any money owing to Mossgreen-Webb's in respect of anything whatsoever irrespective of any directive given in respect of or restriction placed upon such payment by the purchaser whether expressed or implied.
i. Title and right of disposal of the goods shall not pass to the purchaser until payment has been made in full by cleared funds. Where any lot purchased in held by Mossgreen-Webb's pending i. clearance of funds by the purchaser or ii. completion of payment after receipt of a deposit the lot will be held by Mossgreen-Webb's as bailee for the vendor risk and title passing to the purchaser immediately upon notification of clearance of funds or upon completion of purchase. In the event that a lot is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed before title is transferred to the purchaser, the purchaser shall be entitled to a refund of all monies paid to Mossgreen-Webb's in respect of that lot but shall not be entitled to any compensation for any consequent losses howsoever arising.
11. BIDDERS DEEMED PRINCIPALS
All bidders shall be held personally and solely liable for all obligations arising from
any bid including both telephone and absentee bids. Any person wishing to bid as
agent for a third party must obtain written authority to do so from Mossgreen-Webb's prior to bidding.
12.SUBJECT BIDS
Where the highest bid is below the reserve and the auctioneer declares a sale to be "subject to vendor's consent" or words to that effect the highest bid remains binding upon the bidder until the vendor accepts or rejects it. If the bid is accepted there is a contractual obligation upon the bidder to pay for the lot. However a bid may be withdrawn by the highest bidder at any time before the vendor accepts the bid. Once accepted by the vendor a contract has been formed.
13. SALES POST AUCTION OR BY PRIVATE TREATY
The above conditions shall apply to all buyers of goods from Mossgreen-Webb's irrespective of the circumstances under which the sale is negotiated.

Shipping & Collection

SHIPPING
For shipping both national and international we recommend the services of Pack and Send Ltd, who work closely with our business to enable the safe return of your new purchase.
All costs associated with the freight of your goods (packaging, shipping, consumables etc) are to be paid by the purchaser, in addition to the winning bid.

Details for Pack and Sends are listed below, or please feel free to organise another contractor of your choice.

Pack and Send Ltd
+64 9 909 9099
aucklandcity@packsend.co.nz
Contact: Neel

COLLECTION
Purchases are to be taken away at the buyer's expense immediately after the sale once payment in full has been made. If this is not done, Mosgreen-Webb's will not be responsible if the lot is lost stolen damaged or destroyed. Any payment by cheque will not be considered paid until the payment has cleared. Any items not collected within seven days of the auction may be subject to a storage and insurance fee. A receipted invoice must be produced prior to delivery of any lot.