Australian & International Art

Overview

Consistently achieving market-leading results, Smith & Singer is the premier auctioneer of Australian art. 

Smith & Singer specialises in realising exceptional results for our consignors from highly-curated, dedicated auctions of the best examples of Australian and international art available on the market.  In 2020 to date, our sales of Important Australian & International Art have realised 130% of their pre-sale estimates, with our most recent auction in September setting the highest sold rates of the last decade in the industry as a whole and at Smith & Singer (formerly trading as Sotheby’s Australia), with 87% sold by volume and 149% sold by value.  This approach means we sell more of the works entrusted to us, for a greater price than any auction house in Australia.  Our specialists' Australian and international experience uniquely positions Smith & Singer in the market, allowing us to advise each our clients as to the best strategy for the sale of their work.

In 2019, for the fourth consecutive year, Smith & Singer realised the highest art annual total in Australia and the second highest auction and annual totals for fine art in the company’s auspicious history, with an annual total surpassing $39,000,000 – 40% of the Australian art auction market and almost double our two closest competitors – and our November sale achieving $13,917,150.  The November auction marked a further milestone as the thirteenth consecutive sale to exceed $8 million and the second to exceed $12 million, a record hitherto unseen in the history of the Australian art market.

In 1973, Sotheby's Australia commenced auctions in Australian & International Art with the single-owner sale of Paintings and Drawings from the Studio of Sir William Dobell.  Since this landmark auction, the company – now trading as Smith & Singer – has offered the finest Australian paintings, sculptures and works on paper from colonial through to contemporary.  In May 2007, John Bracks’ masterpiece, The Old Time  1969, for $3.36 million, set the world record for any Australian work of art ever sold at auction at the time.  In 2016, a record setting $2,074,000 was realised for Arthur Streeton's Sydney Harbour 1907, the highest Australian art auction result for that year.  In 2019, records were realised across categories for great Australian artists, including Ethel Carrick and William Dobell amongst others.

Smith & Singer specialists are internationally recognised, whose tenure and experience are unmatched by those at any other firm and includes former museum curators and dealers. Our specialists work in tandem with our former Sotheby's colleagues around the world to source the most compelling works for our high-profile auctions and deliver exceptional returns to consignors.  Their efforts and passion have attracted buyers from Australia and abroad to our recent sales, resulting in record prices and historic sales.

Sales of Australian & International Art typically include masterworks by artists such as Howard Arkley, Arthur Boyd, Charles Blackman, John Brack, David Larwill, Sidney Nolan, Margaret Olley, John Olsen, Jeffrey Smart, Arthur Streeton, Brett Whiteley and Fred Williams.  Important Australian & International Art sales are usually held in May, August and November in either Sydney or Melbourne.

The team of specialists based in Melbourne and Sydney share an extensive expertise and a broad access to collectors and buyers worldwide. We can help you sell Australian art, as well as international pieces, with our in-depth knowledge of artists, their works, and the local and international art market.

Recent Results from Australian Art Auctions

Important Australian & International Art 18 November 2020 
https://www.smithandsinger.com.au/catalogue/AU0847

Important Australian & International Art 2 September 2020 
https://www.smithandsinger.com.au/catalogue/AU0845

Important Australian & International Art 24 June 2020
https://www.smithandsinger.com.au/catalogue/AU0844 

Important Australian Art 20 November 2019

https://www.smithandsinger.com.au/catalogue/AU0840 

Important Australian Art 27 August 2019
https://www.smithandsinger.com.au/catalogue/AU0837

Important Australian & International Art 9 April 2019
https://www.smithandsinger.com.au/catalogue/AU0833

Important Australian & International Art from The John Symond AM Collection | Important Australian Art 20 November 2018
www.smithandsinger.com.au/catalogue/AU0830

Important Australian Art 28 August 2018
www.smithandsinger.com.au/catalogue/AU0828

Important Australian & New Zealand Art | Important Australian Art from The J.G.L. Collection 16 May 2018
www.smithandsinger.com.au/catalogue/AU0825

Important Art from The John Schaeffer AO Collection 29 April 2018
www.smithandsinger.com.au/catalogue/AU0824

To view results from all past auctions visit
www.smithandsinger.com.au/auction/results

For further information
contact@smithandsinger.com.au 
Melbourne +61 (0)3 9508 9900  |  Sydney +61 (0)2 9302 2402

Specialists
	Geoffrey Smith Chairman Australian & International Art Melbourne  |  Sydney T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900 T: +61 (0)2 9302 2402 E: Geoffrey Smith		Gary Singer Chief Executive Officer Australian & International Art Melbourne  |  Sydney T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900 T: +61 (0)2 9302 2402 E: Gary Singer
	Brett Ballard Senior Specialist Australian & International Art Sydney  T: +61 (0)2 9302 2402  E: Brett Ballard		Liza Hallam Administrator Australian & International Art  Melbourne T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900  E: Liza Hallam