AUCTIONS EXPLAINED

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Art Leven (formerly Cooee Art) offers several ways to participate in our auctions - now with two innovative formats designed to make collecting more flexible, transparent, and accessible: Priority Bidding and the Hybrid Auction Model.

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Our goal is to create an open and modern auction experience where every collector, whether in Sydney or abroad, can participate on equal terms.

 

If you have any questions about the process please contact us.

 

TYPES OF AUCTIONS

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Live In-Room Auctions

Our Live In-Room auctions are open to the public and held at our Redfern gallery at 17 Thurlow Street.

We welcome you to attend in person if you’re in Sydney on the night of the auction. Once registered, you’ll receive a bidding paddle and be invited to take a seat in the room to bid live.

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All other methods - telephone, absentee, and online bidding - are also available for these events.

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Hybrid Auctions

Our Hybrid Auction Model brings together the energy of a live sale and the convenience of remote participation.

The auctioneer conducts the sale live from our Redfern gallery, while all bidding takes place via phone, absentee, or online.

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There’s no in-room audience, ensuring collectors across Australia and abroad can take part in real time from anywhere. Every registered bidder has equal access, and all bids are handled live by our auctioneer for a seamless experience.

 

 

REGISTER
 

All prospective buyers must register before the auction.

Bidding forms are available [here] and in our Redfern showroom during the viewing period. Completed forms can be submitted in person, online, or by email.

If you haven’t previously bid with Art Leven, we’ll request photo identification (driver’s licence or passport) with your registration. Please provide your full name, contact number, and payment details. Art Leven reserves the right to refuse registration or the issue of a paddle at its discretion.

 

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WAYS TO BID
 

Absentee Bidding / Priority Bidding

Launching in October 2025, Priority Bidding rewards collectors who place their bids early. If you submit a binding absentee at least 48 hours before the auction, you’ll qualify for a reduced Buyer’s Premium of 15% (plus GST) - normally 25%.

 

An absentee bid allows you to participate in the auction without the stress of participating in read time. It is the set and forget method. You decide the maximum price you’re willing to pay for a lot, and our auctioneer will bid on your behalf, starting low and only increasing if other bidders continue. The aim is always to secure the work for you at the lowest price possible, up to and including your stated limit.

 

You don’t need to monitor the auction in real time; once your bid is submitted, our team manages it for you with complete transparency.

Click here to register as an Absentee Bidder

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Telephone Bidding / Priority Bidding

Telephone bidding lets you take part in the auction live and in real time from anywhere in the world. A member of the Art Leven team will call you shortly before your chosen lot is offered and will relay your bids directly to the auctioneer. You’ll hear the action as it happens and can make decisions on the spot.

 

If you’d like to take advantage of our Priority Bidding option, simply submit your Telephone Bidding form with binding cover bids - the maximum you’re willing to pay - at least 48 hours before the auction. By doing so, you’ll qualify for a reduced Buyer’s Premium of 15% (plus GST) instead of the standard 25%. Your Priority Bids are binding, but you can still bid higher during the live auction by phone and retain your reduced premium.

 

This ensures you’re covered if your call drops out or the line disconnects, your cover bid guarantees participation at the lowest possible price up to your nominated limit.

We recommend providing clear instructions in advance, as auctions move quickly and bidding can be competitive. Our team will manage your calls discreetly and with full transparency to ensure a smooth experience.

Click here to register as a Telephone Bidder

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Online Bidding

Bid live and in real time with our own platform HERE  - or through the Invaluable, our trusted auction partner HERE

Art Leven offers buyer parity, meaning no additional online bidding fees apply. Please register in advance and ensure your account is verified before the sale. Note – Priority Bidding is not an option when bidding online.

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Live In-Room Auctions (Line-In Room Auctions Only)

Our Live In-Room auctions are open to the public and held at our Redfern gallery at 17 Thurlow Street. We welcome you to attend in person if you’re in Sydney on the night of the auction. Once registered, you’ll receive a bidding paddle and be invited to take a seat in the room to bid live.

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BUYER'S PREMIUM
 

A Buyer’s Premium is the service fee added to the hammer price (the final bid accepted by the auctioneer). It helps cover the cost of running the auction, including cataloguing, photography, marketing, and staff — and is standard practice at all major auction houses worldwide.

 

At Art Leven, a 25% Buyer’s Premium (including GST) applies to all lots. However, if you qualify for Priority Bidding by placing a binding absentee or telephone bid at least 48 hours before the auction, your premium is reduced to 15% (plus GST) on those lots.

 

For example, if a lot sells for $10,000, the total amount payable (including the standard Buyer’s Premium) would be $12,500. If you are a Priority Bidder, your total would instead be $11,500 (plus GST on the premium). This structure ensures transparency and rewards early participation, giving you more value while supporting the professional services that make each auction possible.

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PAYMENT AND COLLECTION
 

Successful bidders will receive their invoice within 24 hours of the auction. Please check your junk or spam folder in case it does not appear in your inbox.

 

Buyers are required to settle the following within five (5) days of sale:

·       The hammer price of the artwork.

·       The Buyer’s Premium, calculated at 25% (incl. GST) of the hammer price, or 15% (+ GST) for approved Priority Bidders.

·       Any additional costs such as packing, handling, freight, insurance, or storage, if applicable.

·       Any merchant processing fees on card transactions.

 

Payments can be made in Australian dollars by bank transfer (preferred), EFTPOS, credit card, bank cheque, or cash. Credit card transactions incur a merchant surcharge (currently 2%)

 

Please allow up to 24 hours for electronic transfers to clear before collection. If you wish to collect your purchase on the same day as payment, please provide a copy of your transfer receipt as confirmation.

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Artworks can be collected from our Redfern gallery during business hours once payment has cleared. Buyers are responsible for organising collection or delivery; however, our team can recommend trusted fine-art couriers and assist with quotes if required.

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If you would like Art Leven to pack and/or arrange freight on your behalf, please contact us prior to payment so that a shipping fee can be added to your invoice. While all care is taken, Art Leven does not accept liability for damage during transit.

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To ensure smooth handling, please arrange collection within seven (7) days of the auction. Storage fees of $5 per lot, per day will apply thereafter.

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GOODS AND SERVICES TAX​
 

A 10% Goods and Service Tax (GST) may be included in the Hammer Price (for lots owned by a GST registered entertiy), is included in the Buyers Premium and when additional fees required i.e. shipping. This is relevant only if the buyer is an Australian Resident

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BIDDING INCREMENTS
 

Bidding typically opens below the listed pre-sale estimate and proceeds in the following increments (however it is at the discretion of the auctioneer, and may vary)

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$0 – $1,000 by $50

$1,000 – $2,000 by $100

$2,000 – $5,000 by $200

$5,000 – $10,000 by $500

$10,000 – $20,000 by $1000

$20,000 – $50,000 by $2,000

$50,000 – $100,000 by $5,000

$100,000 – $200,000 by $10,000

$200,000 – $500,000 by $20,000

$500,000 – $1,000,000 by $50,000

$1,000,000 – and over by $100,000

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ESTIMATES & CONDITION

Estimates are printed beside the Lot Entry in the catalogue. They are an expression of Art Leven’s opinion of the range where Art Leven thinks the Hammer Price for the Lot is likely to be; it is not an Estimate of value.

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A Condition Report will be produced regarding the Lot’s physical condition upon request. Art Leven is not entering into a contract with you in respect of the Condition Report and accordingly does not assume responsibility to you in respect of it.

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RESERVES

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The reserve is the minimum price that the vendor will accept for each lot and the lot can not be normally sold lower than this amount. This information is not provided to prospective buyers.

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CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY & PROVENANCE

Each artwork will be listed with the known provenance or history of ownership. Non disclosure may indicate that the prior history and provenance was unknown to Art Leven (formerly Cooee Art). All artworks sold through the Art Leven (formerly Cooee Art) auctions come with a certificate of authenticity from our auction house. We do endeavour to track down the original certificates from the sellers of the artworks prior to the sale, however, these are often misplaced and are no longer available.

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Full terms and conditions can be found here

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COPYRIGHT​

The copyright of the artworks listed in this catalogue may be owned by the artist or third party and used under licence by Art Leven (formerly Cooee Art). The buyer must not reproduce or otherwise use the images or text without prior written consent. Art Leven (formerly Cooee Art) has paid the cost of copyright via the Copyright Agency, 2021

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RESALE ROYALTY​

Some lots consigned for this auction may be subject to the Resale Royalty for Visual Artists Act 2009. Any payments due under the obligations of the Act will be paid by the vendor.

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DISCLAIMER​

All information on this website has been compiled from material currently available in the public domain. Its re-presentation is available without charge to subscribers in a manner consistent with the fair dealing provisions of the copyright act. If the author and or creator of an image has been wrongly attributed we are happy to make any necessary changes but will not be made liable to any copyright infringements.

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