Once a dark horse, now an art world superstar

Masterpiece by rock ‘n’ roll painter Tony Fomison set to soar.

“Tony Fomison has gone down in history as one of New Zealand’s greatest ever artists. Hands down, the story of the art market over the past four years has been the incredible rise in value of Fomison’s paintings.

What shall we tell them? is one of his best works, and possibly his best known. It is an incredible privilege to be representing this painting at auction” says Charles Ninow, Director of Art, Webb’s.

Webb’s flagship Works of Art auction will take place on Monday 27 March.

A standout inclusion is Tony Fomison’s 1976 masterpiece, What shall we tell them? This magnificent jester painting graced the cover of the 1994 Fomison retrospective publication, and it gave the name to both the exhibition and the book.

This is one of the best and most well-known works by the famous painter.

Fomison’s works have increased in value spectacularly over the past three years.

The work has a price estimate of $500,000 - $800,000.

Prices for work by Fomison have increased in value faster than any other major NZ artist since the pandemic began.

As economic concerns brew, major artworks are still breaking records

Along with What shall we tell them?, Webb’s are auctioning five other works by Fomison, and dazzling suites of works by Don Binney, Michael Smither, and Bill Hammond and many others.

Tony Fomison
What Shall We Tell Them?
1975 - 1976
oil on jute on board
355 x 540mm
est $500,000 — $800,000


You can see the full auction catalogue here: https://bit.ly/3loX5ouv

#art #contemporaryart #Paintings #Webbsauctions #tonyformison #ponsonbynews #iloveponsonby #ponsonby #auckland #aucklandshippestrip #onlyponsonby #ponsonbyroad #Greylynn #freemansbay #westmere #ponsonby #hernebay #stmarysbay #archhill #coxsbay #westernsprings