Sotheby’s is pleased to launch “Contemporary Showcase”, a new series of boutique online auctions that adopts a dynamic “pop-up shop” concept, a fast-paced auction format, and exciting thematic presentations. Slated for Spring/Summer 2020, each Showcase features a tightly curated assemblage of works and runs for the duration of approximately one week. With swift turnaround between consignment and sale, the series meets the needs of both sellers and buyers in the rapidly evolving market, while allowing Sotheby’s to continue to bring exciting and ahead-of-the-curve offerings to clientele.
The new digital initiative responds to the robust results of Sotheby’s online auction programme. In 2020 to date, Sotheby’s has conducted over 30 dedicated online auctions worldwide, achieving HK$380+ million / US$50+ million in just four months. Our recently concluded Contemporary Art Online auction in April was the largest ever staged by Sotheby’s Hong Kong, achieving over HK$10 million, over 300% the pre-sale low estimate, and growing over 670% in value since it was first launched in 2018. The sale has also significantly expanded our client base, with over 30% of the buyers being new to Sotheby’s and almost 50% of the bidders aged below 40.
During this unprecedented time, Asian collectors have enthusiastically participated in our online sales programme, driving record results that demonstrate the resilience of the Contemporary Art market. We are extremely gratified by the support of our clients, as demonstrated by our recently concluded Contemporary Art Online auction – the largest edition realised in Sotheby’s Hong Kong’s history. Our new ‘Contemporary Showcase’ series responds to this success, and we are confident that the new initiative will bring new and exciting opportunities for our audiences, both in Asia and worldwide.
First Showcase: Tightly Curated Ensemble of Six Western Pieces
Online Auction: 28 April – 4 May 2020
Contamination
2016, watercolor and bleach on canvas, 127 by 101.5 cm
Est. HK$850,000-1,200,000
The first Showcase kicks off with “ANOTHER WORLD” – an eclectic selection of Western Contemporary Art. Led by Contamination by Sanya Kantarovsky, the tightly curated assemblage of six lots is grounded thematically by the poetic title of Tracey Emin’s Another World, with each work individually and collectively probing at the imaginative, restorative and escapist possibilities of the figurative image.
The variations in aesthetic, symbolism, wit and dark humour coalesce in a liminal space where the registers of seeing and making collide; while each composition remains faithfully allegiant to its image, the paintings offer an elusively liberating sense of destabilized possibility.
Another World
2018, neon, ed. 1/3, 41 by 160 cm
Est. HK$500,000-700,000
Second Showcase: Largest Manga Assemblage to be Auctioned in Hong Kong
Alongside Exclusive Selling Exhibition with Interactive Virtual Tour
Selling Exhibition: 29 April – 8 May 2020 (By Appointment Only)
Online Auction: 5 – 11 May 2020
Satoshi and Pikachu Animation Cel
1998-1999, 20 by 25 cm
Est: HK$30,000–50,000
The second Showcase edition presents “MANGA” – the largest Manga assemblage ever to be offered at auction in Hong Kong, alongside a selling exhibition at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery. The auction presents 60 unique drawings and original Animation Celluloid Pictures (cel-ga) featuring some of the most beloved characters from popular animation series including Pokemon, Dragon Ball, Gundam and Totoro. These unique drawings and cel-ga were produced by some of the most prestigious animation houses, such as Studio Ghibli and Toei Animation.
Apart from the 60 works slated for the online auction, an additional 95 pieces will be presented in a selling exhibition at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery. Together, the auction and selling exhibition presents over 150 manga collectibles this Spring 2020.
Doraemon, Nobita and Shizuka on the Time Machine Animation Cel
Circa 1970s, 28.5 by 36 cm
Est.HK$70,000-90,000
SELLING EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS (By Appointment Only)
29 April – 8 May
Astro Boy Animation Cel
1960s, acrylic on cel
18 x 23 cm
Super Saiyan Goku Animation Cel
1989-1996, acrylic on cel
20 by 25 cm
ONLINE AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS*
4 May - 8 May
Astro Boy and Flying Horse Signed by Osamu Tezuka and Original 1978 Calender Cover (Two Works)
1978, acrylic, pastel, pen on cardboard
Calendar: 50.5 by 35.5 cm; original: 67 by 49 cm
Est. HK$350,000 – 550,000
Totoro Animation Cel
1988, acrylic on cel 23 by 36 cm
Est. HK$70,000 – 90,000
*Selected works in the online auction will also be displayed at the selling exhibition.
INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL TOUR
Sotheby’s presents interactive virtual tour for “Manga”, which will offer the opportunity to step inside the selling exhibition on display at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery and browse exceptional pieces from the comfort of home. This exciting 360° experience will be available on Sotheby’s website.
SELLING EXHIBITION DETAILS
Date and Opening Hours (By Appointment Only)
29 April – 8 May 2020
Mon – Fri: 10am – 6pm
Sat: 11am – 5pm
Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays
Venue
Sotheby’s Hong Kong S|2 Gallery
5/F One Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong
Enquiries: (852) 2822 5566
PHOTO DOWNLOAD
Dropbox: https://bit.ly/2xOgBSo
Baidu: https://pan.baidu.com/s/1USuwygy686e7LPigr1VB2w (Pin: kywd)
