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The Week in Art
podcast

The $6.2m banana, Frank Auerbach remembered, Lindokuhle Sobekwa’s photographs of addiction in South Africa—podcast

Exploring this week’s New York auctions, which included Maurizio Cattelan’s now-infamous fruit, plus a tribute to the late German-British artist Auerbach and a chat with Sobekwa about a work from his powerful series, on view at the UK’s Sainsbury Centre

Hosted by Ben Luke. Produced by David Clack, Julia Michalska and Alexander Morrison
22 November 2024
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Sotheby’s auctioneer Oliver Barker in action during the sale of Maurizio Cattelan Comedian (2019) during this week’s Now and Contemporary Evening Auction in New York

Courtesy of Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s auctioneer Oliver Barker in action during the sale of Maurizio Cattelan Comedian (2019) during this week’s Now and Contemporary Evening Auction in New York

Courtesy of Sotheby’s

The Week in Art

From breaking news and insider insights to exhibitions and events around the world, the team at The Art Newspaper picks apart the art world’s big stories with the help of special guests. An award-winning podcast hosted by Ben Luke.

Maurizio Cattelan’s Comedian (2019), the work featuring a banana stuck to a wall with grey duct tape, sold at Sotheby’s in New York, on Wednesday for $5m or $6.2m with fees. But how did other works fare at this week’s auctions in New York? Ben Luke talks to Ben Sutton, The Art Newspaper’s editor, Americas, about the sales.

Frank Auerbach, the painter who escaped the Holocaust and dedicated more than 70 years to creating portraits and cityscapes in London in raw, thick paint and expressive charcoal, has died. We speak to the curator of three of his most important exhibitions—and a model for Auerbach for more than 40 years—Catherine Lampert, about his work.

Frank Auerbach, Primrose Hill, Hot Summer Evening (1974-75) © Frank Auerbach, Courtesy Frankie Rossi Art Projects. Photographer: Prudence Cuming Associates, London

And this episode’s Work of the Week is Mzwandile at home after coming from the rehab center (2018), a photograph from Nyaope, a series by the South African photographer Lindokuhle Sobekwa. In the series he explored the devastating effect on his local community of a heroin-based drug, called nyaope. The work is part of the exhibition Heroin Falls, at the Sainsbury Centre in Norwich, UK, and I spoke to Lindo about the work.

Lindokuhle Sobekwa, Mzwandile at home after coming from the rehab center (2018), part of the exhibition Heroin Falls, at the Sainsbury Centre in Norwich, UK

© Lindokuhle Sobekwa/Magnum Photos

  • Heroin Falls, Sainsbury Centre, Norwich, UK, 23 November-27 April 2025
The Week in ArtAuctionsArt marketMaurizio CattelanBananaExhibitionsFrank AuerbachArtistsPhotographySainsbury Centre
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