Los Angeles – An energetic saleroom at Bonhams Los Angeles saw strong results right out of the gate with a vibrantly colored sphere by Helen Pashgian (b.1934), reaching 10 times its estimate and a world record for the artist at $78,495. Shortly followed by a masterpiece from Lynne Drexler (1928-1999), Grass Symphony (1962), which reached $957,975 – an impressive figure for the Abstract Expressionist who is finally being recognized among the canon of great 20th Century American painters.

Another artist with growing market interest was reflected in today's sale - Gladys Nilsson's (b. 1940) canvas, By the Waterfall (1973), soared past its estimate of $25,000 – 35,000 and reached $113,775. Other works in the sale by the artist did similarly well, including two works on paper in her signature style of abstracted figures in bright watercolors as well as a rare painting on canvas from her period in Sacramento, completed during the same year as her solo show at the Whitney Museum of American Art (1973). Major bidding took place over a Lynda Benglis (b. 1941) sculptural work from her 1993 Volcano Series, which sold for $326,975, more than 10 times its estimate.

Strong in-person bidding and staggering prices proves the strength in the California market for Post-War and Contemporary art. The sale also had a focus on Californian artists and world records were achieved for Raimonds Staprans (b. 1926) at $189,375 for Morning Mist (1986), Tony DeLap (1927-2019) at $57,075 for Ozanam (1989), and Ynez Johnston (1920-2019) at $38,175 for Sun Painting (1968). A capsule collection of Larry Bell (b. 1939) – a California favorite for his influence on the light and space movement – did particularly well, as seen in a 1985 Cube that reached $145,275. From Wallace Berman (1926-1976) was a complete group of 13 individual original Verifax collages that became the basis for his famous Radio/Aether series. These individually signed collages are exemplary of Berman's best-known body of work and sold for $164,175. Another artist who developed his career in Los Angeles, Ernie Barnes (1938-2009), was included in the sale and presented a nice opportunity to bring this newly coveted artist to the West Coast. Games and Shines (1970), depicting a game of pool, reached $277,575.