Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

(April 23, 2024 – La Jolla) — After a four-year hiatus, The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego will host its biennial Art Auction at MCASD (700 Prospect St, La Jolla) at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 10.

The highly anticipated event will feature live and silent auctions of approximately 60 works by early career and internationally recognized artists, including:

• Kelly Akashi
• John Baldessari
• Sarah Cain
• Niki de Saint Phalle
• Sam Falls
• Elliott Hundley
• Byron Kim
• Marcus Jahmal
  
• Rebecca Morris
• Ed Ruscha
• Calida Rawles
• Robert Rauschenberg
• Allison Saar
  

The event is the museum’s largest fundraiser, providing vital support for educational programs, exhibitions, and art acquisitions.

"MCASD's Art Auction is a vibrant gathering, welcoming both seasoned collectors and art enthusiasts alike," said Kathryn Kanjo, the David C. Copley Director and CEO at MCASD. "Featuring internationally recognized figures and local creative talents, the event offers artwork at various price points, ensuring there's something for everyone. Whether you're exploring art curated by MCASD's expert team, acquiring one-of-a-kind creations by today’s most exciting artists, or simply mingling with friends, Art Auction 2024 invites you to embrace the dynamic world of contemporary art."

All works are carefully considered by MCASD’s Director and Curators.

This year’s auction will offer a range of works, from painting and sculpture to photography and works on paper, all donated from artists and galleries both locally and internationally. Artworks will be exhibited in the galleries at MCASD from May 4–10, 2024.

The Art Auction will begin at 6 p.m. with a hosted bar and ample food stations as guests enter their silent auction bids. With Christie’s as the official auction house partner, the highlight of the evening is the exciting live auction led by Auctioneer Andrew M. Lueck of Christie’s Auction House. The Live Auction is powered by Artsy, enabling art lovers from around the world and in the room to follow the live auction and place bids online.

Guests at this year’s auction will have exclusive access to special-edition Art Auction 2024 paddles created by artist June Edmonds. These limited quantity paddles are available to Gold Circle ticket purchasers. Gold Circle ticket holders will also be able to attend curatorial tours by appointment to preview the works and receive tours.

Art Auction 2024 tickets are on sale now. The full list of artworks will be available at www.mcasd.org before the auction.

Location

MCASD La Jolla, Jacobs Building

700 Prospect St.

La Jolla, CA 92037

Tickets

General Tickets: $150 MCASD Members / $175 Non-Members

General tickets include access to the cocktail reception, silent auction, standing tickets to the live auction, and dessert reception.

Gold Circle Tickets: $275 MCASD Members / $300 Non-Members

Gold Circle ticket holders may book a private curatorial tour of the auction work. In addition, Gold Circle ticket holders will receive a special-edition paddle designed by artist June Edmonds (limited quantity), and will have preferred seating at the live auction, complimentary valet parking the night of the auction, and a listing in the auction’s program.

For tickets go to mcasd.org/artauction

Schedule

April 30 – Launch Live and silent auction

May 10 – Close live auction

May 13 – Close silent auction

About Artist June Edmonds
June Edmonds is renowned for her captivating abstract paintings, paying homage to Black American figures and historical events. Edmonds's work has been exhibited at the California African American Museum, the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, and Watts Towers Arts Center in Los Angeles. The artist has also created several notable public artworks in her hometown of L.A., including a 40-foot gate at the Los Angeles Conservation Corporation.

About The Auctioneer

Andrew M. Lueck has worked in the Asian art auction business for nearly two decades. He is a Specialist, Vice President, in the Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art at Christie’s based in the Bay Area of San Francisco. He works with West Coast collectors and institutions as well as others throughout the country and globe. He has been responsible for bringing to market notable fine Chinese works of art for sale in New York as well as Hong Kong and advises and works with some of the country’s top collectors and institutions. Among the highlights that he has brought to auction is the Larson Vase, the fine and exceedingly rare blue and white vase, the cover of the HK May 2019 Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Auction selling for $37,260,000 HKD. He also brought to sale in New York the single owner sale titled “The Studio of the Clear Garden.” He is a regular lecturer on the topic of Chinese and Asian art and has recently lectured at The Norton Museum of Art, Palm Beach, The Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena, Asia Week New York, and Asia Week San Francisco. Mr. Lueck is also a charity auctioneer and has greatly enjoyed raising support for a multitude of organizations which have included: The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, Asia Society of Southern California, The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, SFFILM, Levi Strauss Co., The San Francisco Art Institute, The International Chinese Snuff Bottle Society, and The Petaluma River Park Foundation. Before joining Christie’s in 2015 Lueck worked as a specialist at Bonham’s, San Francisco, and prior to that he founded the Asian Works of Art Department at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers (now Hindman Auctions), Chicago. Lueck holds a BA from Hope College, Holland, Michigan, and an MA with Merit from The University of Manchester (Sotheby’s Institute of Art).

About Christie’s Auction House

Founded in 1766, Christie’s is a world-leading art and luxury business with a physical presence in 46 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, and flagship international sales hubs in New York, London, Hong Kong, Paris and Geneva. Renowned and trusted for our expert live and online-only auctions, as well as bespoke Private Sales, Christie’s unparalleled network of specialists offers our clients a full portfolio of global services, including art appraisal, art financing, international real estate and education. Christie’s auctions span more than 80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $500 to over $100 million. Christie’s has sold 7 of the 10 most important single-owner collections in history, achieved the world record price for an artwork at auction, launched the first fully on-chain auction platform dedicated to exceptional NFT art and manages an investment fund to support innovative startups in the art market. Christie’s is also committed to advancing responsible culture throughout its business and communities worldwide. To learn more, browse, bid, discover, and join us for the best of art and luxury at christies.com or by downloading Christie’s app.

About The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is the region’s foremost forum devoted to the exploration and presentation of the art of today. Open since 1941, we welcome all audiences to reflect on their lives, communities, and the ever-changing world through the powerful prism of contemporary art. MCASD’s dynamic exhibition schedule features a vast array of media in an unprecedented variety of spaces, along with a growing dedication to community experiences and public programs. As a cultural hub, MCASD seeks to catalyze conversation in our region.

For media interested in interviews, please contact Toni Robin at tr@trprsandiego.com

IMAGES: Image 1: Kelly Akashi, Studio Fossil (Headlands), 2021. Courtesy of the artist, Lisson Gallery, and Tanya Bonakdar Gallery. Image 2: Byron Kim, B.Q.O. 51 (Dolphin Surf), 2023. Courtesy of the artist and James Cohan, New York; photo credit: Matthew Herrmann. Image 3: Elliott Hundley, 10.4.20.1 (detail), 2020. © Elliott Hundley, Courtesy Regen Projects, Los Angeles.