September Scottish Contemporary Art Auction Report - Teddy Boys & Fishermen

John Byrne’s position as one of Scotland’s most celebrated contemporary artists was underlined in the September Scottish Contemporary Art Auction.

An early oil from 1971 showing a street scene in Los Angeles was the subject of intense bidding, with a buyer from London securing the lot with a £9,500 bid – almost five times the upper estimate.  

The auction also featured one of Byrne’s iconic ‘Teddy Boy’ images, with the lithograph selling for double its estimate at £1,300. 

There is no doubt the recent John Byrne retrospective at Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Art Gallery has heightened interest in the Paisley born artist and playwright, with prices for his work rising significantly.  

Following the sale of several high profile John Bellany works over the past few months - including a near record £80k for The Finnon Smoker – September’s auction featured another stunning painting by the celebrated East Lothian artist.  

Packed with colour and detail and focusing on one of Bellany’s favourite subjects, the oil, Scottish Harbour, sold for £7,500 to a buyer in East Lothian.

The auction also commanded high prices for a series of other acclaimed Scottish contemporary artists, including Peter Howson, Gerard Burns, Graham McKean and JOLOMO, amongst others.