The auction of her art collection is being handled by Swann Galleries' African-American Fine Art department, with a public exhibition opening September 8.
More than 50 art pieces owned by the late writer Maya Angelou, including a quilt commissioned by Oprah Winfrey, are to go up for auction in New York in September, preceded by a public preview that will allow all visitors to get a glimpse of her eclectic private collection.
The author of seven autobiographies, including the best-known "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," as well as several books of poetry, essays, plays, movies and more, Angelou played an active role in the American civil rights movement.
She died in 2014 at the age of 86.
The auction of her art collection is being handled by Swann Galleries' African-American Fine Art department, with a public exhibition opening September 8.
'Kumasi Market' by John Biggers
Among the works on auction will be paintings, works on paper, fine prints and sculpture by African-American artists including Romare Bearden, John Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, Melvin Edwards, Jonathan Green and Faith Ringgold.
'Maya's Quilt of Life' by Faith Ringgold, comissioned by Oprah Winfrey
Highlights include a painted story quilt by Faith Ringgold entitled "Maya's Quilt of Life," which was commissioned by Oprah Winfrey for Angelou's birthday in 1989 and is estimated at $150,000 to $250,000, and a large painting by the muralist John Biggers called "Kumasi Market," painted in 1962 and reflecting Angelou's interest in African culture ($100,000 to $150,000).
Angelou's son, Guy Johnson, said in a statement, "Art to her was a means of communicating ideas, emotions and feelings that the originating artist may not have had the words to express. She surrounded herself with books and objects d'art because she liked to be inspired by the creativity and genius of others."
The auction preview opens September 8, followed by the auction itself at 2:30 pm on September 15.
More information is available at www.swanngalleries.com.
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