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Art lovers will get to see a new side to the acclaimed Demas Nwoko when the latest art auction by ArtHouse Contemporary is held in Lagos tomorrow. Two pieces by the artist who is better known as an architect will be going under the hammer for the first time anywhere in the world, and are set to generate excitement when bids open at the Civic Centre.

The auction house has pulled off the coup of acquiring what they describe as “two very representative works from his collection” – an oil painting and a wooden sculpture, ‘The Wise Man’. Speaking to journalists ahead of the auction, Director of ArtHouse Contemporary Kavita Chellaram said, “We wanted to create awareness for [Nwoko’s] artistic skill and contributions as they are tremendous and important in furthering our understanding of his Zaria contemporaries.”

The company had been in discussions with Nwoko, one of the famed Zaria Rebels, before securing his agreement to auction the works. “We really think Demas Nwoko is our feature,” said a pleased Chellaram. “What we are trying to say to people: here is a master. It’s really an awareness that he is a master. He is very much alive. The works are going to be very rare.”

This is the fifth auction in two years for ArtHouse Contemporary, founded by Kavita Chellaram in 2007. 188 lots of paintings, sculpture, mixed media works as well as prints and photography have been on view at the Civic Centre since Saturday; viewing continues today before the auction proceeds Monday.

Also included in the auction for the first time are works by Ghanaian artist Edmund Tetteh and the late self-taught painter, Akinola Lasekan. One of the pioneers of art in Nigeria, Lasekan was also the first newspaper cartoonist in the country, and his work featured in the West African Pilot. “He’s never been in auction anywhere. The history of Nigerian are is not complete without Lasekan,” said Nana Sonoiki, general manager of ArtHouse Contemporary.

Another eye-catching piece in the auction is an untitled metal sculpture of a woman’s head adorned with a patterned gele (headgear), by Sokari Douglas-Camp, the UK-based Kalabari artist. It is a smaller variation of the artist’s monumental ‘aso-ebi’ works. “She’s a sculptor who does everything completely with her own hands,” observed Aditya Chellaram, ArtHouse Contemporary director. His confidence is not misplaced as the piece is very likely to catch the eye of many a collector.

The company is hoping that these and many other pieces, including perennial favourites like Enwonwu (reputedly the best selling name in Nigerian art currently), are guaranteed to spell success when the bids come in. Works by living and dead artists are included in the exhibition; and nearly all of those featured are of West African heritage.

“There is a lot of interest. I think this is the best [auction] so far. We have established a secondary market with collectors coming in and putting up their works for auction,” said Kavita Chellaram.

“It is an emerging market, prices are better than on the international market. This is the time to buy,” she declared. The company is fast becoming a player on the international scene also, having put up 30 lots of West African art at auction at the Philips in New York and sold 50 percent, among other successes.

“The intention is to make African art more well known. We really want to take it global,” Chellaram declared. She argued that since the intervention of ArtHouse Contemporary in the market, there has been more transparency of pricing whereas two years ago, international collectors could not buy Nigerian art due to unreliable pricing.

“The company’s main purpose is to establish a regular venue for the sake of fine Nigerian and West African art. The public nature of the event allows for greater transparency of pricing and wider exposure of the art to a broad and global audience,” Chellarams said.

Asked why art patrons would come out once again to put in bids, she replied, “Talking as a collector, you always want to see new things. You want to get excited. Your eye keeps changing, your taste keeps changing. You don’t just buy one thing.” The art market in Nigeria is also changing, she noted, with expatriates and young business people starting to collect art. The variety available at Monday’s auction, she believes, will meet every taste.

Also in the exhibition for the first time is photography, with works by the like of George Osodi and Kelechi Amadi Obi up for grabs, as well as those by the octogenarian, J.D Okhai Ojeikere. “Now we feel a surge of photography all over the world, including Nigeria. So we feel it’s the right time.”

Among other artists featured, are: Soly Cisse (from Senegal), Kelani Abass, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Ben Osawe, El Anatsui, Ben Osaghae and Peju Alatishe. In addition to the 118 lots, another five pieces donated by George Osodi, Kainebi Osahenye and Rom Isichei, will go to charity, benefitting the Calabar Women and Children Hospital.

The fifth ArtHouse Contemporary auction is on from 10am to 1pm at the Civic Centre, Lagos, on Monday, November 22.