(b, 1950, NY) is among our most important living artists. This auction goes up a day after his solo exhibition comes down at Yvon Lambert, NYC, entitled “Shit.” What more might we expect from Andres whose previous exhibits include, “A History of Sex,” “The Morgue,” “The Americans,” “The Beauty of Evil,” and going back to his show at STUX in 1986 that included, “Piss Christ.” He has had hundreds of solo and group shows around the world and what remains remarkable is the ongoing reinvention, at the way his photographs constantly force us to engage with the matter of life, with segments of society that are neglected, disenfranchised or even given commercialized iconic status. Think of his KKK series.

The auction photo is a truly important work. The Indian Chief becomes a symbol for nobleness – professional sports teams take on that name – and of course underlying this myth is the historical truth – the methodical destruction of his culture .