Davson’s $1.3m record art sale

THE PRICE $1.3 million for On The Ark of Salvation by Sharon Davson sets a new record price for a painting by a living Australian artist.

The highest sales price for living artists within a country is predominantly a male domain.

Davson, whose art is represented in the New England Regional Art Gallery (NERAM) collection, is currently the only female in the world in this position.

She is also an artist who for more than two decades has been best known for her spiritual and environmental works.

In 1989, Davson donated a woven silk-screen print titled On Hawkesbury Shores to the New England Regional Art Gallery collection.

She travels extensively and has maintained strong ties with many people and places throughout her life, and has been in Armidale again recently.

“I am grateful to the people of this area who have supported my art since the 1980s,” she said.

“It has been a long road to arriving at this highpoint in my career, and it could only have been achieved by the progression of milestone public collections, exhibitions, commissions and events.”

“I encourage all local artists to continue working at their art, and trust that many artists will create art works that inspire others to a more positive life.

“It is time for inspirational, spiritual and environmental art, and art by women, to take a lead position in professional art, here and elsewhere.”

The painting has been bought by a consortium of collectors who prefer to be known as Epic Oz Art.

At $1.3 million, this is the first time in Australia a female artist has secured the prestigious sales position of the highest value for a painting by a living artist. Previously, John Olsen’s Love In The Kitchen was the highest priced when it sold for $1.09 million in 2006.

Davson’s creative influence has inspired artists in more than 80 countries towards a new spiritualism in art, with On The Ark of Salvation leading the way for more than a decade.

In 2003, the painting featured for six months on the front cover of an international monthly magazine, - the only painting (or artist) to have had this honour.