Today marks the eve of the Phillips Modern & Contemporary Art Spring Auctions. The sale features works by several prominent artists that will be going under the hammer for the first time in history.
Phillips is offering works by the likes of Jean-Michel Basquiat, Yayoi Kusama, and Banksy in its upcoming Modern & Contemporary Art Spring Auctions. These sales will offer many works at auction for the first time. Works by emerging newcomers will also go on sale alongside these established modern masters. Take a look at some of our favourites from the upcoming auction.
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Leading the Evening Sale on May 31 is a Basquiat painting from 1982. Native Carrying Some Guns, Bibles, Amorites on Safari was previously in the private collection of Francesco Pellizzi. Experts estimate the painting will go from HK$90,000,000 to HK$120,000,000. This makes it the highest estimated modern and contemporary piece for auction in Hong Kong this Spring. It features criticism of colonialism, a frequent theme in Basquiat’s works.
The Evening Sale also includes a 2007 painting from Yayoi Kusama’s iconic Net paintings. INFINITY NETS (ZGHEB) depicts a turbulent sea of grey swirls. Her careful and skilful touch is evident on the canvas. The painting features more subtle tonal gradations as the artist moved beyond her earlier monochromatic approach. Its estimate places it from HK$20,000,000 to HK$30,000,000.
Banksy is another household name featured at the Phillips Modern & Contemporary Art Spring Auctions. His 2016 work The Leopard and Lamb joins the previous paintings at the Evening Sale. The work was previously exhibited at his Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem. It portrays a moment of harmony near the separation wall that divides Israel and Palestine. Experts place its estimate from HK$18,000,000 to HK$28,000,000.
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Other notable mentions include Andy Warhol, KAWS, and Yoshitomo Nara. The Day Sale on June 1 includes both prominent and rising artists. Leading the Day Sale is Zao Wou-Ki’s 25.11.81. Both auctions also strongly feature Chinese contemporary art and Japanese art.
(Images: Phillips)
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Written by
Johanna Muliani
Editorial Assistant, Dining and Culture
An Indonesian enamoured with the sights of Hong Kong, Jo is a curious spirit who loves telling stories with a focus on Art, People, and F&B. After work, you'll find Jo knitting, dabbling in gaming, and looking for where to eat next.
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