Sotheby’s and T.O.P Present

#TTTOP, Sotheby’s evening auction of Western and Asian contemporary art in Hong Kong guest-curated by Asian pop icon T.O.P, will be held on 3 October during the Hong Kong Autumn Sale Series 2016. The result of a year-long collaboration, #TTTOP celebrates the rise of young Asian collectors who seek art across cultural boundaries. By showcasing new and important Asian artists who enjoy global recognition alongside their Western counterparts, the sale unites various generations, cultures, styles and schools of thought. This selection not only reflects T.O.P’s artistic choices, but also the international taste of the young Asian collecting community. Estimated at approximately HK$90,000,000 / US$11,500,000*, the sale brings together over 25 lots of contemporary artworks and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) to provide opportunities to emerging Asian artists.

International Contemporary Art Leading the Western section is Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Infantry (1983). From the collection of internationally renowned Japanese art collector Mr. Yusaku Maezawa, the piece joins the auction as a gesture of support from Mr. Maezawa for T.O.P, his younger collector friend, and his debut curatorial endeavour. Dating from 1983, Infantry is a powerful work by Basquiat painted during his prime. The vibrant composition evokes the spirit of the New York art scene of the time. 

The Western section of the auction will also feature works by the likes of blue-chip artists Andy Warhol, George Condo, Rudolf Stingel and Sigmar Polke; as well as two paintings by rising star Jonas Wood. A rare and important series by Keith Haring from the collection of legendary photographer David LaChapelle will also be offered. The sale’s Asian section is anchored by top-grade museum-quality works by eminent Korean post-war masters including Kim Whanki, Park Seobo, Lee Ufan, Chung Sanghwa and Paik Nam June. Of special note is Lee Ufan’s With Winds (1988), a monumental canvas specially commissioned by a distinguished private collector during the zenith of Lee’s Winds era; as well as Chung Sanghwa’s Untitled 97-3-26 (1997), one of the largest white monochrome paintings by the artist ever to emerge on the international stage. Complementing such exquisite masterpieces are diverse works by exciting emerging artists hailing from Japan, Korea and China, including Gokita Tomoo, Park Jina and He Xiangyu, as well as artists who are already enjoying international exposure such as Saito Makoto. In addition, a number of specially commissioned works by T.O.P’s contemporary artist friends, including Murakami Takashi and Nawa Kohei, will also be featured in this auction. 

Paik Nam June, Fat Boy, 1997, Estimate: HK$3,500,000 – 4,500,000 / US$ 449,000 – 577,500

Photographer: Hong Jang Hyun. Photo Production: Gary So @ Mad Carrot Production