From Lichtenstein to Nike, K11 MUSEA Offers Tantalizing Glimpse of Sotheby’s Spring Auctions

T his month, Sotheby’s Hong Kong presents a special preview of its 2021 Spring Auctions at K11 MUSEA. Nowhere is the marriage of art and luxury more fitting than at the iconic cultural-retail destination at Victoria Dockside. Marking the first-time collaboration between Sotheby’s and K11 MUSEA, the showcase will offer an exciting glimpse ahead of the highly anticipated April auctions. Fine art highlights by Roy Lichtenstein, Yoshitomo Nara, Lalan, Zao Wou-Ki, and more will be joined by the unveiling of limited-edition stainless steel timepieces by F.P. Journe. The preview will also see the Hong Kong debut of the Nike Moon Shoes – considered the “Holy Grail of Sneakers”. The Sotheby’s Spring Auctions preview at K11 MUSEA officially kicks off this week, opening to the public on Friday, 19 March.

Tune into K11 Konversations: Sneaker Collecting in The Auction World on 20 March with Felix Kowk, Head of Department, Modern Art, Asia, Jeff Cheung, Founder of Sole Addicttunds, Adidas Expert Eddie Cheung and Multimedia Creator Saltyegg.

Video Credit: K11 MUSEA

“We are thrilled to collaborate with K11 MUSEA to feature an exciting selection of modern and contemporary art as well as luxury collectibles. With Asian collectors’ interest in art going hand-in-hand with their love for luxury, K11 MUSEA is a natural partner for this initiative – together we look forward to engaging audiences across communities and showcasing what culture and art can offer in tandem.”

Nathan Drahi, Sotheby’s Commercial Officer, Asia

The visionary behind the iconic cultural-retail concept, Founder of K11 Adrian Cheng has, since the launch of his first K11 Art Mall in 2009 introduced, a novel concept. Bringing together contemporary art to generations in Hong Kong, the K11 Group has embraced fresh, boundary-breaking ways of integrating different aspects modern and contemporary culture. This ethos aligns closely with the extraordinary works presented by Sotheby’s Hong Kong.

“I am delighted to be partnering with Sotheby’s on this exciting collaboration to present a world-class auction preview at K11 MUSEA, our cultural-retail flagship destination. Together we are able to foster a broader discussion on the interconnectedness of art, culture and innovation in our community, serving in parallel to our mission of creating shared value and empowering creativity and social innovation for the next generation.”

Adrian Cheng, FOUNDER OF K11

Roy Lichtenstein, *Reflections on Thud!*, 1990.

Takashi Murakami, *Doraemon Sitting Up: Weeping Some, Laughing Some*, 2020.

On Friday, visitors to K11 MUSEA will encounter a dazzling selection of contemporary and modern art, set to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Spring Sales Series on 16-23 April. The monumental Reflections on Thud! by American Pop artist Roy Lichtenstein will draw significant interest, as it is the first major work by the artist to be offered at auction in Asia. Painted in 1990, this is an example from Lichtenstein’s important series of Reflections paintings.

Works by Yoshitomo Nara and Takashi Murakami are well-established in the market and beloved by collectors. Two iconic paintings by Nara hail from different periods in the artist’s vast oeuvre, joined by Murakami’s playful “superflat” Doraemon painting. An exquisite landscape painting by the late Matthew Wong will also command attention, demonstrating his hypnotic and invigorating style. These paintings as well as the work by Lichtenstein and more will be up for auction at the Contemporary Art Evening Sale (19 April, Hong Kong).

A whimsical creation by leading British abstract artist Terry Frost will be shown with a biographical canvas from the legendary Lalan, and an uplifting 1970s masterpiece by Zao Wou-Ki. Displayed together, these paintings represent a juxtaposition of important works by pioneers of modern art. Another fascinating thematic contrast will be presented in a rare silk painting by Mai Trung Thu in which the Vietnamese artist reimagines scenes from the Italian Renaissance. These are just some of the highlights of the Modern Art Evening Sale (18 April, Hong Kong).

(From Left) F.P. Journe Limited Edition Stainless Steel Tourbillon Wristwatch, Resonance Wristwatch, Octa Calendrier Wristwatch, Octa Automatique Wristwatch, Chronometre Souverain Wristwatch

François-Paul Journe is considered a technical genius in the field of watchmaking, and as the only three-time winner of the Aiguille d'Or grand prize, he quickly rose to fame in the competitive watch industry. From his independent watchmaking brand F.P. Journe, five limited-edition, stainless steel timepieces made in 2015 pay homage to the brand’s very first collection in 1999. They will make their auction debut at Sotheby’s Important Watches Sale (22 April, Hong Kong).

The Nike Moon Shoe is one of the most significant artefacts in the history of the multi-billion-dollar athletic brand and represents a touchstone of contemporary culture. One of a small group of pairs known to exist, the Moon Shoe is a handmade running shoe designed by Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman, who was first inspired to create the innovative waffle sole traction pattern by tinkering with his wife’s waffle iron. A pair of Nike Moon Shoes made headlines two years ago at Sotheby's auction when it set a new world record. Now this highly sought-after sneaker is showcasing in Hong Kong for the first time and available for private sale.