When it comes to selling fine art at auction, we’re not only concerned with Old Masters or Victorian landscapes.
We are delighted to offer contemporary pieces, and doubly so when they are by local home-grown talents.
We’ve all heard of the St Ives School in Cornwall, or the Glasgow School in Scotland Well, how about Peak District Artisans right here in Derby?
Established in 1991, Peak District Artisans, or PDA, is a highly successful association of some of the region’s very best professional fine artists.
And we are delighted to be offering 100 works by a number of its members at our iconic design sale in Etwall this week. <march 4>
Rather thrillingly for us it is the first time the group has decided to sell their work at auction and we hope to have a good turnout both online and in the room.
Of course, there are numerous reasons why it makes sense to buy art at auction.
First up it cuts out any swingeing gallery fees meaning the artist keeps a higher percentage of the sale.
Then there’s the possibility of championing a great artist of the future.
Imagine being one of those early buyers of the work of, say, Jean‑Michel Basquiat whose pictures originally sold for hundreds of dollars and now sells for millions.
Or buying a pot directly from the studio of the Anglo-Austrian ceramicist Lucie Rie in the 1940s, now worth thousands.
Only time will tell if the Peak District Artisans has a Basquiat or Rie in their midst but what I can tell you is they are a group of supremely talented artists.
Members are selected for their outstanding creative works and include up-and-coming as well as internationally-renowned artists.
Added to which they are all inspired by, and share a love of, our beautiful region.
And the breath of their talent is staggering.
Take the textile artist Alison Wake who creates landscapes in thread and yarn inspired by the Peak District scenery surrounding her home.
Using locally sourced hand-dyed wools she depicts real places, often recognisable as local landmarks but viewed from a new perspective.
Then there is the wonderfully talented sculptor Ayodeji Kingsley, a Nigerian-born artist based in Derby.
He has a degree in chemical engineering from Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria and a master’s in environmental control and assessment from the University of Derby.
As a passionate environmentalist he uses salvaged metals including discarded machinery, tools and industrial detritus to create pieces of raw beauty.
His works have been shown in a variety of shows and galleries across the globe as well as public sculptures in Nigeria.
Welsh-born lettering artist and papermaker Elizabeth Forrest lives in Derbyshire with her work based on a love of words.
As well as applying lettering to paper she also adds it to women’s clothes and accessories, metal, wood and even stitched onto fabric.
Another artist is Philip Evans a south Derbyshire-based ceramicist who has been making pots for more than 40 years.
His inspiration comes from photographs taken close to home and abroad with recent pieces influenced by visits to Herculanium, Pompeii and Sorrento.
Artist Catriona Hall studied history of art and flora history which helps explain her style which is described as “Tudor with a twist” or “modern medieval”.
She paints animals facing to the left, with many based on the wildlife surrounding her studio on the edge of the High Peak moors.
She also specialises in well-known houses such as this magnificent portrait of Chatsworth which has an estimate of £1,500-£3,000 at Wednesday’s sale.
Swedish-born mixed media artist Ingrid Katarina Karlsson is inspired by the landscape surrounding her Peak District home, like this one of a Dutch Barn near Minninglow in Derbyshire which has a guide price of £150-£250.
Other artists taking part in the sale include Pam Smart, Amanda Frogson, Katie Wyke, Mark Langley, Great Vilidaite, Craig Longmuir, Diana Green, Tim Rose and Louise Edwards.
I know many of these artists have their own collecting base built up over numerous individual exhibitions.
For those people the sale will be an ideal opportunity to build their collections.
And, with estimates starting as low as £50, for would-be collectors new to the PDA – it is the perfect time to acquire work from a group of supremely talented artists.
Auction Details
Auction: The Spring Iconic Design Auction: To include a collection of Works of Art & Sculpture by members of the Peak District Artisans
Auction date: 4th March 2026 | 10am
Location: Hansons’ Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
