We introduced some ceramics and Chinese paintings for the autumn sales at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in our previous articles. For its Modern and Contemporary Art Evening Sale, Sotheby’s offers an abstract oil painting by Zao Wou-ki (1921- 2013)’s 09.01.63 that is estimated at HK$50m-70m (US$6.4m-9m)
Zao Wou-ki and 09.01.63
Kusama Yayoi and Pumpkin
Another highlight at the evening sale is Kusama Yayoi’s Pumpkin, estimated at HK$6m-8m (US$770,000-1m), showing two of Kusama’s most recognized motifs: Yellow pumpkin and polka dots. Kusama has a pretty good auction record as her work has seldom gone unsold at sales.
Anita Magsaysay-Ho and Women with baskets and fruits
For Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian Art, Sotheby’s boasts Anita Magsaysay-Ho (1914-2012)’s Women with baskets and fruits, which is estimated at HK$5m-7m (US$640,000-900,000). Acclaimed as one of the main pioneers of the modern art movement in the Philippines, Anita celebrates the beauty of Filipino women dealing with everyday issues in her works.
Hendra Gunawan and Clothes Vendors
There is another eminent artist whose work sold will also be at the same sale, Hendra Gunawan (1918-1983), an Indonesian artist who proposed the slogan “art for the people”. His paintings depict daily lives of common people and show his appreciation to them. His work Clothes Vendors is estimated at HK$1.2m-1.8m (US$150,000-230,000) at this sale.
Swimming No.2
Chinese artist Liu Wei’s Swimming No.2 carries an auction estimate of HK$4m-5m (US$510,000 – 640,000). He was among the first group of artists from Mainland China to join Venice Biennale. He is also an active advocate of “cynical realism”, a contemporary movement in Chinese art that evokes the psychological implications of China’s rapid development by using an ironic and satirical tone.
Hans Hartung and P1967-A47
For contemporary ink art, Hans Hartung (1904-1989)'s P1967-A47 is estimated to be worth HK$400,000-600,000 (US$51,000 – 77,000). Known for his gestural abstract style, Hartung was born in Germany but later moved to Paris as a refugee because his painting style was deemed to be incompatible with Nazi Germany’s ideals. He became a member of the French Foreign Legion to fight against Germany during World War II, an experience that greatly influenced Hartung’s creation. This painting was created after World War II.
Sotheby’s Hong Kong’s Autumn Sales: Highlights for Modern and Contemporary Art
Zao Wou-ki’s 09.01.63. 1963.
Sale: Modern and Contemporary Art Evening Sale
Sale date: 2017/9/30
Estimate: HK$50,000,000 - 70,000,000 (US$ 6,400,000 – 9,000,000)
Kusama Yayoi’s Pumpkin. 1998.
Sale: Modern and Contemporary Art Evening Sale
Sale date: 2017/9/30
Estimate: HK$6,000,000 - 8,000,000 (US$770,000 – 1,000,000)
Anita Magsaysay-Ho’s Women with baskets and fruits. 1958.
Sale: Modern and Contemporary Art Evening Sale
Sale date: 2017/9/30
Estimate: HK$5,000,000 - 7,000,000 (US$640,000 – 900,000)
Liu Wei’s Swimming No.2.1996
Sale: Contemporary Art - Day Sale
Sale date: 2017/10/1
Estimate: HK$4,000,000 - 5,000,000 (US$510,000 – 640,000)
Hendra Gunawan’s Clothes Vendors.
Sale: Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian Art - Day Sale
Sale date: 2017/10/1
Estimate: HK$1,200,000 - 1,800,000 (US$150,000 – 230,000)
Hans Hartung’s P1967-A47. 1967.
Sale: Contemporary Ink Art: Confluence
Sale date: 2017/10/2
Estimate: HK$400,000 - 600,000 (US$51,000 – 77,000)