Ravenel is delighted to announce that our Autumn Auction of Modern and Contemporary Asian Art will take place in the Fubon Center in Taipei on Sunday, 6th December 2009. With recent auction results in Hong Kong pointing to a recovery in the art market especially in Chinese contemporary art, Ravenel is anticipating a very strong showing in its Taipei Auction, and in our 10th anniversary year, are very excited as we present our largest-scale auction in our history, 227 lots of the highest quality artworks.
Ravenel continues to lead the market in auction sales. Our Spring Auction 2009 in Taipei realized US$6,507,768, a remarkable result given the economic circumstances. Even more notable was that the auction was sold 111.14% by value, ensuring that Ravenel once again had the best results this spring.
For our Autumn Auction on 6th December, we have brought together an outstanding collection of very special art pieces. The estimate for the sale is 408 to 577 million NT dollars or US$12.5 million – US$17.7 million.
Previews will be held in Taichung and Hong Kong as well as Taipei. At our preview in Hong Kong from Saturday 28 – Sunday 29 November 2009, Ravenel will hold a special event both in celebration of our 10th anniversary and to announce and publicize our plans for 2010. Next spring Ravenel plans to hold its second auction in Hong Kong along with its Taipei auction, and also to expand its previews to important cities in China.
The autumn auction has many highlights this year. In Modern Art major works by Zao Wou-ki, Chu Teh-chun, Sanyu, Lin Fengmian and Yun Gee will be offered. 5 paintings by Zao Wou-ki will be presented from very important series of his work including – his Paul Klee period (1952), oracle-bone inscription series (1955), and works from 1964 and 1974. In particular, 17.4.64 (est. US$1,406,700 –US$1,896,00) is a magnificent work from this abstract master displaying the full range of his powerful poetic feeling and embodying the soulfulness of his Chinese inheritance. His Paul Klee influenced ‘Oiseaux volent partout’ (est. US$795,100 – US$1,223,200), is imbued with the magic of Chinese brush strokes and the poetic landscape of his imagination.
Chu Teh-chun’s ‘Evocation hivernale C’ (Reminiscence of Winter) (est. US$917,400 – US$1,223,200) is a spectacular work from his ‘Snow Scene Series’. Capturing the essence of a winter landscape in the great tradition of Chinese ink and water drawing, it is a powerful abstract rendition in oil paint of this great abstract master. Chu’s ‘Force d’âme’ (est. US$856,300 – US$1,284, 400) from 2004-5 is one of the most important of his later works. An extraordinary quadptych, it glows jewel like, as the power of his brush strokes create an amazingly fluid and beautiful landscape evoking a true spiritualism and experience.
‘Vase of Flowers with Blue Ground’ (est. US$917,400 – US$1,223,200) by Sanyu is a very rare work containing his signature, address and the date. A magnificent still life, in a characteristic simple form reminiscent of Chinese ink and water style, its great brush strokes and lines powerfully convey the deep imagination of the artist. In contrast to the austerity of Sanyu’s still life, Lin Fengmian’s ‘Still Life: Figure, Fish, Cactus’ (est. US$259,900 – US$367,000) displays the richness of his expression in terms of brushstrokes, fresh colors, and rich composition. It is one of two works in the auction from the very important San Huai House Collection in Hong Kong.
Works by other great Chinese masters are also represented. 5 great works by Yun Gee are on offer including ‘Frost in Central Park’ (est. US$116,200 – US$183,500) a rare masterpiece from his New York Period. Works by Liao Chi-chun and Wu Guanzhong are also included in the auction. Walasse Ting is represented with 4 excellent and rare pieces including ‘Red Horse’ (est. US$48,900 – US$79,500) from the estate of American abstract painter Sam Francis.
The Contemporary Asian Art section also has many excellent highlights. The most important contemporary Chinese artists are represented with works by Wang Guangyi, Xu Bing, Mao Xuhui, Feng Zhengjie, Yue Minjun and Zhou Chunya. Wang Guangyi’s ‘Coca Cola’ triptych (est. US$275, 200 – US$367, 00) from his latest series is a mature reflection on the power of symbols and the influence they wield. Xu Bing’s new English calligraphy is shown in 2 important works from his nursery rhyme series.
Great works by Taiwanese artists offered include sculptures by Ju Ming, and paintings by Tzu-chi Yeh, Lien Chien-hsing, Michell Hwang and Kuo Wei-kuo. Japanese contemporary art is represented with works by leading Japanese artist Yaoyoi Kusama, along with pieces by Amano, and Hiroyuki Matsuura. Works by Nam June Paik, and Kwon Ki Soo are offered in the Korean contemporary section. South East Asian art is represent with pieces by the Indian artist Chintan Upadhyay, Pilipino artist Gabriel Barredo, and Indonesian artist Budi Kustarto.
The auction will take place
Sunday, December 6, 2009, 2:30pm – 8:30pm
Fubon National Conference Center
B2, No. 108, Section 1, Tun-Hwa South Road, Taipei, Taiwan
Previews will be held:
Hong Kong
Saturday, November 28, 2009 – Sunday, November 29, 2009
10:00am – 7:00pm
Grand Hyatt Hong Kong – Salons & The Residence
1 Harbour Rd, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Taipei
Friday, December 4 – Saturday, December 5, 2009
10:00am – 7:00pm
Fubon National Conference Center
B2, No. 108, Section 1, Tun-Hwa South Road, Taipei, Taiwan
