Contemporary Art
No longer the preserve of fringe or avant-garde collectors, contemporary art now enjoys strong support within both the gallery and auction sectors. Leonard Joel has responded to this demand with a department dedicated to Australian and international contemporary art from the 1970s to the present day.
Our flagship Contemporary Art auction, Centum, has established itself as one of Australia’s leading contemporary art sales. First launched in 2020, the annual auction presents carefully curated works by Australia’s leading contemporary artists.
Whether you have a single artwork or an entire collection you are considering selling, please contact one of our specialists for a complimentary and confidential auction valuation.
Contemporary Art Auction Highlights
Contemporary Art Specialists
Wiebke Brix
Head of Art
Contact WiebkeWiebke Brix brings a wealth of experience, passion for art and expertise to Leonard Joel. Wiebke holds a PhD in Fine Art and has extensive experience in the gallery sector, as well as experience in project management and marketing.
Wiebke completed a master’s of studio arts with honours at Sydney College of the Arts under the influential contemporary Australian painter and sculptor Lindy Lee. Wiebke was then awarded a scholarship to complete a PhD in Fine Arts at Monash University in Melbourne, focusing on sculpture and installation art. After completing her studies, she commenced her career at Scott Livesey Galleries as Gallery Manager, working with important Australian artists such as Stelarc, Joshua Yeldham and Bruce Armstrong. It was through director Scott Livesey that she was first exposed to the secondary art market and developed an interest in the field.
In 2022, Wiebke decided to return to her adoration for the arts and took on the role of Art Curator at Alcaston Gallery. Wiebke’s tenure at Alcaston Gallery, known for its expertise in First Nations Art, has provided her with valuable insights into the indigenous art market.
Hannah Ryan
Senior Art Specialist, Manager of Specialty Auctions
Contact HannahHannah Ryan began her career as a Gallery and Projects Assistant for an established Australian artist, where she facilitated significant commissions, curated public exhibitions and managed events.
She joined Leonard Joel in 2019 as the Prints & Multiples Specialist, where she has played an integral role in establishing Leonard Joel as Australia's leading specialist auction house for editioned works of art.
Hannah is now the only dedicated Prints & Multiples Specialist at a major auction house in Australia, providing collectors and consignors with an unparalleled level of knowledge and market expertise. She has achieved Australian and global record prices for artists including Keith Haring, Invader, George Baldessin, Eveline Syme, Margaret Preston and Brett Whiteley.
In 2021, Hannah was appointed Senior Art Specialist, expanding her role to include Leonard Joel's annual Centum Contemporary Art, Prints & Multiples and Women Artists auctions. Since then, she has handled important collections including the Print Council of Australia Collection, the Estate of master print technician Larry Rawling and the Estate of Murray Griffin.
Amanda Hayward (née North)
Senior Art Specialist
Contact AmandaAmanda's academic credentials include a Bachelor of Art History and a Master of Art Curatorship from the University of Melbourne. Amanda's interest in Italian art led her to study abroad in Italy throughout her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, where she lived in Prato, Florence, and Venice while studying Italian Renaissance, Italian language, and Museology.
Her professional journey features roles at notable auction houses and private galleries, where she developed a keen eye for art valuation and curation. Prior to this Fine Art Specialist role, Amanda was the Art Salon Manager at Leonard Joel since 2021 where she developed her skills and interest in art valuation, thematic auction curation and auctioneering. Her experience encompasses managing significant collections and auctions, including the Sidney Nolan Auction ‘Myths, Legends, Landscapes’ from the Estate of Lady Mary Nolan and the deaccession of the National Australian Bank’s (NAB) collection - notably, where Amanda secured a white glove sale for the curated Peter Trusler auction.
With a keen interest in Australian women artists, Amanda curated thematic auctions to highlight a collection of works by Anne Marie Graham and Florence Dearling. Amanda's broad expertise in art history spans across various periods, thus underlining her involvement in expanding Leonard Joel's fine art offerings.
Our Departments
Leonard Joel offers specialist experience and regular, curated auctions across a diverse range of categories.
Important Collections
Over our 100 year history, Leonard Joel has been entrusted with the auction of some of the most interesting and important collections in Australia.
Jewellery
Founded over four decades ago, Leonard Joel’s Jewellery department leads the market in Australia with regular, curated auctions in Melbourne and Sydney.
Art
Leonard Joel’s Art Department offers expertise and extensive market knowledge in traditional, modern, international and contemporary art.
Decorative arts
Leonard Joel presents fine European and Australian interiors in curated collections.
Asian Art
Featuring important Chinese jade, ceramics and textiles, Himalayan, Indian, Japanese and Korean works of art.
Modern Design
Modern Design is one of Leonard Joel’s most dynamic and increasingly popular collecting categories.
Luxury
Unique to the Australian marketplace, Leonard Joel’s Luxury department offers vintage and contemporary handbags and accessories.
Collectables
Leonard Joel provides unrivalled expertise in this eclectic collecting category.