Founded in 2012, Poly Auction Hong Kong quickly established itself as a formidable international auction house that frequently set records for artworks, artists and categories. The auction house is distinguished by its continuous efforts not only to host and present stellar sales, but also to promote art, culture and technology at the highest level beyond the auction block. With live and online sales, as well as the premiere of their first White Glove Evening Sale in July last year – which made over HKD 410 million – Poly Auction Hong Kong is the auction house for auctions to watch.
As part of the spring 2023 programming of the auction house, the Modern and contemporary art The sale will take place on April 6 at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong at 11:00 a.m. HKT. Showcasing a wide range of national and international artists, the sale will bring together iconic works by world-renowned artists. Below, you can see some of the most anticipated and sought-after lots from the sale.
Yoshitomo Nara
Acid MJ (2009)
Estimate: 34,000,000–44,000,000 HKD
Yoshitomo Nara, Acid MJ (2009). Courtesy of Poly Auctions Hong Kong.
Yoshitomo Nara (b. 1959) is world famous for his whimsical yet bizarre depictions of animals and children. A true highlight of the auction listing, Nara’s Acid MJ (2009) exemplifies the artist’s love of music and acts as an interpretative portrait and tribute to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The work is rare in that Nara very rarely produced portraits of musicians and named them in the title offering a rare insight into the artist’s inspirations and imagination.
Yoshitomo Nara
Kids Cut
Estimate: 5,000,000 to 8,000,000 HKD
Yoshitomo Nara, Kids Cut (1995). Courtesy of Poly Auctions Hong Kong.
Yet another rare offering from Nara in the sale, this artwork is from the groundbreaking 1995 “Cup Kids” series, comprised of seven fiber-reinforced plastic artworks. Emblematic of Nara’s signature style, the figure’s subtlety of expression and overall composition invites the viewer to reflect on the symbolic and thematic underpinnings of the piece, both as an individual work and as part of an ensemble. a larger series. The cup and saucer motif also evokes broader cultural themes, mimicking amusement park rides or a hub, the work draws on ideas of freedom or captivity depending on the interpretation.
Gerard Richter
Summary Picture (1986)
Estimate: 18,000,000–28,000,000 HKD
Gerard Richter, Summary Picture (1986). Courtesy of Poly Auction Hong Kong.
Recognized as one of the most influential artists today, Gerhard Richter (b. 1932) is known for his experimental practice of abstract painting which, early in his career, was often based on photography. As Richter’s practice progressed, he moved away from representation towards abstraction, adopting the “squeegee method”, wiping and scraping pigment on canvas; the work presented here arguably lives up to Richter’s early total abstractions and evolves towards a vibrant, multi-coloured palette rather than a more subdued one.
Yayoi Kusama
Nets to infinity (1999)
Estimate: 2,100,000–3,100,000
Yayoi Kusama, Nets to infinity (1999). Courtesy of Poly Auctions Hong Kong.
Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929) has achieved worldwide recognition and fame, with a career that continues to gain momentum even after more than six decades. Kusama’s work is best known for her repetitive dot patterns and so-called “infinity nets”, which she has used since the early years of her career. Comprised of loops and weaves of impasto paint, this iteration of an infinity streak contains a distinct tactility and dimension that is exemplary of the artist’s ongoing engagement with the series as well as his concern for the unlimited.
Yayoi Kusama
Pumpkin (2005)
Estimate: 25,000,000 to 35,000,000 HKD
Yayoi Kusama, Pumpkin (2005). Courtesy of Poly Auction Hong Kong.
Similar to the aforementioned dot patterns, Kusama’s work is also widely recognized for the patterns she returns to again and again, the most prominent of which is that of a pumpkin. Kusama’s pumpkins are made up or covered in meticulously arranged, variably sized dot patterns, and are among the most sought after works of his oeuvre. The present Pumpkin from 2009 contains all of the artist’s beloved trademark attributes, providing an incredible opportunity for collectors who follow his work.
Poly Auction Hong Kong will hold its Modern and contemporary art sale on April 6, 2023.
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