Nandu reporter learned that Christie's Hong Kong July auction will be held from July 8 to 13. The auction will present two masterpieces by Jerhard Richter and Zao Wou-Ki. Two of the most legendary masters of the twentieth century made the most glorious contributions to the history of abstract art after the war. The preview will be held for the first time at Bedder, a top gallery venue in central business centre, adjacent to Christie's Hong Kong office, to showcase lots at the evening auction on 4 –10 July.
Frost (1) (estimate: HK$48,000,000 – HK$68,000,000 / US$6,200,000 – US$8,700,000) is Richter's highest valuation in the Asian auction market. Created in Richter's groundbreaking golden age of art, Frost (1) is a dazzling masterpiece of the artist's "Abstraktes Bild" series of works that bloom in his signature creative approach.
In this series of famous works, Richter explores and reshapes the essence of abstract painting, challenging the origins of masterpieces of post-war art history. Richter applies multiple layers of thick oil paint to the canvas, and then scrapes through the paint layers, dragging and applying, so that the oil paint takes on a kaleidoscopic texture, like the light reflected by natural light reflected on the thick winter frost or ice surface. The painting was completed in the same year as the first public exhibition at the Boimans Van Berningen Art Gallery rotterdam.
Another highlight of the evening auction was Zhao Wuqiang's "18.11.66" (HK$68,000,000 – HK$88,000,000 / HK$8,800,000 - US$12,000,000) for the first time. With full enthusiasm and vitality, this work defines the ten years of brilliance in Zao Wou-Ki's artistic career and vividly displays the essence of Zao Wou-Ki's art. The 1960s also saw his artistic and personal culmination, where Eastern and Western traditions and the artist's seminal style blended harmoniously. The imposing horizontal composition shows the ingenious balance of light and dark, zhao's blue tones are dominant, wild dark brushstrokes and overlapping fine bright white brushstrokes, reflecting a dramatic depth and three-dimensional sense of depth and three-dimensionality, reminiscent of the natural power of winds and waves.
Ho Sun Heng, Head of Evening Auctions in Christie's Department of Modern and Contemporary Art, said that although Zao Wou-Ki and Richter are in different countries and employ different creative techniques, they are equally passionate about exploring color and dynamics, drawing inspiration from natural imagery and presenting them in their works.
The sources of this season's lots are well-known and include modern and contemporary art, ancient and modern paintings and calligraphy, Chinese porcelain and craftsmanship, magnificent jewelry, exquisite watches, rare vintages and handbags and accessories. Lots span different eras, genres, media and cultures, and collectors will be exempt from regional restrictions and will collect art treasures from all over the world.