Condo and KAWS to Challenge Your Imagination at Phillips HK Spring Sales

24 May, 2018 | Thu | 14:25
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The second round of Hong Kong Spring Sales is approaching. We have introduced masterpieces from some of Asia’s greatest modern and contemporary artists from Phillips’ evening sale. This time, we will reveal to you some works from George Condo and KAWS. Condo is often known as the successor of Picasso while KAWS is a graffiti artist and designer known for his toys and paintings. Their styles differ yet they both deliver works that challenge people’s imagination and social norms.

Condo

This first painting from Condo is titled Writer, with an estimate of HK$2m - 3m. Condo is highly influenced by Picasso, focusing on portraiture and challenging the ideas of academic art and logical reasoning. The setting and body position of the portrait in Writer are beyond imagination and exaggerated, breaking the traditional images of different social identities.

Another work from Condo is Black Standing Figures which has an estimate of HK$6.5m - 8.5m. Crowds in the painting immerge yet separate, drowning in the mystical background. Does this convey the idea of individuals losing themselves in
society or the unlimited potential of humanity?

KAWS

KAWS is first known for his graffiti as he signed ‘X X’ on different advertisements and this became his signature. He turns the commercialized reality into a playful, more light-hearted world. In this evening sale, Phillips will be auctioning two sculptures and a painting from KAWS.

Created in 2009, this painting, Untitled, has an estimate of HK$2m - 3m. The work provides a new interpretation of the traditional cartoon character it features. The character’s energetic personality is taken away, leaving it a red, smileless face with KAWS’ signature – ‘X X’. Perhaps this is KAWS’ way to challenge our understanding of reality. 

Series 2 No.10

Condo’s Black Standing Figures has the second highest estimate in this sale, standing right after Fang Lijun’s Series 2 No. 10. As to which one of them would surprise us the most, we would have to stay tuned and see.


The top lots from this sale will be exhibited at H Queen's in Central, Hong Kong. The sale will be held at Mandarin Oriental hotel in Central, Hong Kong on 27th May at 6pm.

 

Condo, KAWS and other top lots

George Condo. Black Standing Figures.

Lot no.: 41
Created in: 2000
Size: 152.4 x 254cm
Provenance:

  • Private Collection (acquired directly from the artist)

  • Artcurial, Paris, 21 April 2009, Lot 366

  • PaceWildenstein, New York

  • Private Collection

  • Christie’s, London, 17 February 2011, Lot 266

  • Simon Lee Gallery, London

  • Acquired from the above by the present owner

Estimate: HK$6,500,000 - 8,500,000

George Condo. Writer.

Lot no.: 40
Created in: 2006
Size: 136.6 x 157.5cm
Provenance:

  • Luhring Augustine, New York

  • Gary Tatintsian Gallery, Moscow

  • Phillips, London, 10 February 2016, Lot 122

  • Acquired at the above sale by the present owner

Estimate: HK$2,000,000 - 3,000,000

KAWS. FINAL DAYS.

Lot no.: 33
Created in: 2014
Size: 210 x 195 x 137cm
Provenance:

  • Galerie Perrotin, Hong Kong

  • Acquired from the above by the present owner

Estimate: HK$3,000,000 - 5,000,000

KAWS. Untitled.

Lot no.: 42
Created in: 2009
Size: 182.9 x 182.9cm
Provenance:

  • Galerie Perrotin, Paris

  • Private Collection

  • Phillips, New York, 6 March 2014, Lot 3

  • Acquired at the above sale by the present owner

Estimate: HK$2,000,000 - 3,000,000  

KAWS. (FIVE YEARS LATER) COMPANION.

Lot no.: 45
Created in: 2008
Provenance:

  • OHWOW Gallery, Los Angeles

  • Acquired from the above by the present owner

Estimate: HK$500,000 - 700,000

Jean Dubuffet. Le Chien Rôdeur.

Lot no.: 6
Created in: 1955
Size: 81 x 99.3cm
Provenance:

  • Pierre Matisse Gallery, New York

  • Mr. and Mrs. Arthur J. Kobacker Steubenville, Ohio

  • Sotheby's Parke-Bernet, New York, 28 October 1970, Lot 64

  • Dr. Irving Stoner (acquired at the above sale)

  • Robert Elkon Gallery, New York (acquired from the above in 1975)

  • Marisa del Re Gallery, Inc., New York

  • Waddington Galleries, London

  • Mr. and Mrs. George Bloch, Hong Kong

  • Private Collection, Connecticut

  • Sotheby's, New York, 8 November 1994, Lot 42

  • Collection Stanley J. Seeger (acquired at the above sale)

  • Sotheby's, New York, 8 May 2001, Lot 35

  • Private Collection (acquired at the above sale)

  • Phillips, London, 14 February 2013, Lot 18

  • Private Collection, Geneva (acquired at the above sale)

  • Acquired from the above by the present owner

Estimate: HK$7,000,000 - 9,000,000

Takashi Murakami MPGMP, 1960->2012

Lot no.: 34
Created in: 2012
Size: 200 x 160cm
Provenance:

  • Galerie Perrotin, Paris

  • Acquired from the above by the present owner

Estimate: HK$5,000,000 - 7,000,000

 

Auction details

Auction house: Phillips Hong Kong
Sale: 20th Century & Contemporary Art and Design Evening Sale
Location: Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong
Lots offered: 70
Preview:
2018/5/24, 25, 27｜10:30am - 6pm
2018/5/26 ｜10:30am - 7pm
Auction date: 2018/5/27｜6pm



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