The Rare Black-Tie Art Auction That’s Cutting Edge: This CAMH Night at the Museum Brings Major International Names and Intrigue

BY Catherine D. Anspon // 03.23.18

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Holly Coulis's "Glass, Pears," 2018 (Courtesy the artist and Klaus von Nichtssagend Gallery)

Peter Sullivan’s "Untitled (#610)," 2017, on the block at CAMH Gala (Courtesy the artist and McClain Gallery)

Predicted to be the top lot: Jenny Holzer’s "Selection from Living: Some days you wake ...," 2017, on the block at CAMH Gala (Courtesy the artist and Sprüth Magers. © 2018 Jenny Holzer, member Artists Rights Society, [ARS], NYC. Photo Robert Wedemeyer)

Dario Robleto's "Untitled (Shadows Evade the Sun I)," 2012 (Courtesy the artist and Inman Gallery, Houston)

Angel Otero's "Untitled," 2017 (Courtesy the artist and Lehmann Maupin, New York and Hong Kong)

Guy Yanai's "End of Europe (Siracusa)," 2017 (Courtesy the artist and Miles McEnery Gallery, New York)

Page Kempner's "Short Fall," 2018 (Courtesy the artist and Moody Gallery)

Billy Childish's "temple marsh with fog," 2014 (Courtesy the artist and Lehmann Maupin, New York and Hong Kong)

Rhona Bitner's "Fitzgerald’s, Houston, TX, January 16, 2013," 2013 (Courtesy the artist)

Amy Blakemore's "Track," 2015 (Courtesy the artist and Inman Gallery, Houston)

Andisheh Avini's "Untitled," 2014 (Courtesy the artist and Marianne Boesky Gallery, New York)

Holly Coulis's "Glass, Pears," 2018 (Courtesy the artist and Klaus von Nichtssagend Gallery)

Here’s a night that achieves the perfect balance between formal and edgy: The upcoming Contemporary Arts Museum Houston Gala and Art Auction, where black tie meets contemporary collector.

Amplifying the energy are this year’s gala co-chairs, Blakely Griggs, Melissa Mithoff, and Katherine Phelps, joined by After Party co-chairs Matt Johns and Margaret Naeve Parker. CAMH director Bill Arning has called in his art chips to present an auction of national and international talents and some very notable Texans.

Once again, Christie’s Steven Zick will hammer down the live lots (three to five works, alongside approximately 20 silent auction items confirmed at press time).

Excitement swirls around the live auction’s grand finale: Jenny Holzer’s Selection from Living: Some days you wake… , 2017, a footstool formed from mystical labradorite bearing one of the artist’s inscribed text fragments. While you’ll no doubt need a platinum card to go home with the Holzer, other lots reflect collecting ranges starting at $900.

Houston-based artists include David Aylsworth, Amy Blakemore, and Dario Robleto (all in Inman Gallery’s power stable); Page Kempner’s nature-inspired wall piece (represented by Moody Gallery); and Jan Rattia’s gender-bending portrait of a man in a mantilla (recently exhibited at Cindy Lisica Gallery).

Also worthy of collectors’ radar is Debra Barrera, represented in the auction by a conceptual still-life photograph; Barrera, in the talent pool of Moody Gallery, was last seen at the CAMH in a three-person show on Houston artists in 2014: “Right Now, Right Here: Houston.”

Preview auction lots here.

The art-packed fête features a swank cocktail hour, which segues into the Jackson and Company-catered seated dinner. Once again, Bergner and Johnson has been enlisted for event design. Gala attendees can also expect dancing followed by a late-night DJ.

The Arty Details

What: CAMH Gala and Art Auction
When: Friday, April 13, 7 pm, at the museum
Where: Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, 5216 Montrose Boulevard
Tariff: Tickets from $1,000, tables from $15,000; After Party $125 per person, $200 couple
Contact: 713.284.8260, gala@camh.org.

Purchase Gala and/or After Party tickets here.