Phillips Celebrates a Decade in Asia With Landmark Modern & Contemporary Art Auctions

Summary

• Phillips marks its 10th anniversary in Asia with the Modern & Contemporary Art Fall Auctions this wekend
• The sales are led by works from Yoshitomo Nara, Tom Wesselmann, Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami and more

Phillips is celebrating its 10th anniversary in Asia with the upcoming Modern & Contemporary Art Fall Auctions this weekend in Hong Kong.

The Evening Sale on September 27 will showcase works by in-demand young talents alongside masterpieces from post-war masters, with nearly two-thirds of the pieces making their auction debut. A significant highlight of Yoshitomo Nara‘s seminal work “Pinky,” which is being offered to the public for the first time, with estimated value of $7,690,000 – $10,260,000 USD. Painted in 2000 – a watershed year for the artist – “Pinky” is one of only four such head-and-shoulders compositions in his entire body of work.

Also featured is Tom Wesselmann’s “Smoker #17,” estimated at $2,560,000 – $3,850,000 USD, which captured enhanced eroticism and set a world record when last auctioned in 2007. Further Evening Sale highlights include Andy Warhol’s “Hearts Pink” ($205,000 – $308,000 USD) and David Hockney’s iPad work “The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire in 2011 (1 January),” conceived during the COVID-19 lockdown and estimated at $103,000 – $154,000 USD.

Complementing these are visionary women artists: Yayoi Kusama’s “INFINITY-NETS (SFOOUY)” alongside Ruth Asawa’s “Untitled S.013” wire-woven sculpture, marking the late artist’s first Hong Kong auction appearance. Meanwhile, the Day Sale lot is curated with an array of modern and pop-art visionaries. Leading the lineup is Takashi Murakami’s “I stare into your eyes,” alongside a selection of artists from his Kaikai Kiki collective, such as Kasing Lung, Aya Takano, MADSAKI and Mr.

Danielle So, Hong Kong Head of Auctions, and Rebecca Hu, Head of Sale for Modern & Contemporary Art, emphasize the season’s resonance: “Nearly two-thirds of the Evening Sale will debut at auction, with only nine pieces publicly seen in 16 years. As we celebrate ten years in Asia, these sales carry special significance for us and the collectors who have shared this remarkable journey.”

Phillips’ Modern & Contemporary Art Evening Sale will take place at its Asia headquarters on September 27, 7 p.m. HKT, while its Day Sale will commence the following day at 2 p.m. HKT. To view the entire catalog for both sales, visit Phillips’ official website for more details.

Phillips Asia
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No. 8 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong