Pop art auction hotting up

Red Elephant by Indian Pop Artist Bhupen Khakhar to be auctioned at Cordy's auction house. Photo / Supplied

Two rare Indian paintings, which will be auctioned after being found in an Auckland basement, have overseas collectors clambering to snap them up, driving up their expected prices.

The distinctive pieces by India's first "Pop" artist, Bhupen Khakhar, were found in the dust and clutter of the late artist Roy Dalgarno's Parnell basement.

Since the Herald last week published an article on Cordy's upcoming auction, the auctioneers have been flooded with international inquiries.

Indian Pop Artist Bhupen Kharkhar. Photo / Supplied

The original $8000 estimates on each painting - Red Elephant and Interior Of A Hindu House - have had to be revised to estimates of $15,000-$30,000 each, auctioneer Andrew Grigg said.

A "couple" of bidders are even flying to Auckland for next Tuesday's auction. "This auction is looking to be something special and certainly the interest in quality Indian modern art is strong, even in Auckland," Mr Grigg said. "These works are difficult to get hold of and are becoming increasingly popular." Bombay-born Khakhar wowed the art world with early works that mashed deities from kitsch posters with street culture and graffiti. He was courted for major international exhibitions and held a solo show at the famous Pompidou Centre modern art museum in Paris. The self-taught artist and former accountant died in 2003, aged 69. His art hangs in some of the world's top galleries and has fetched six-figure sums at auction.