A reflection of the region’s increasing appetite for Southeast Asian modern and contemporary art, Christie’s Hong Kong sale totaled HKD 49 million (USD 6.3 million) with 90% sold by value and 76% sold by lot. The top lot was Temple Festival in Bali (above) by Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur de Merpres, which sold for HKD 7,700,000 (USD 989,450), while the second lot, Affandi’s Ayam Jago (Man with a Fighting Rooster) came in second at HKD 3,620,000 (USD 465, 170).  

Ruoh-Ling Keong, Head of Christie’s Southeast Asian Modern and Contemporary Art, commented, “The success of this auction exemplifies the exceptional breadth and diversity of the Southeast Asia category. The highly positive reception of the sale shows it struck a solid balance between the two pillars of modern and contemporary art, with significant cross-buying from the regions. A combination of both young and established artists made up the 15 records achieved at the sale.  

“Two records were set in the modern art category: La Piedra IV by Fernando Zobel, which sold for more than four times its pre-sale estimate at HK$1,580,000 (US$203,030), and Anxiety by BenCab, which sold for HK$740,000 (US$95,090). The results for artists fresh to the auction market affirms the department’s connoisseurship and testifies to its grip on the pulse of the market, with records also being achieved for artists such as Filipinos Jose John Santos III, Patricia Eustaquio and Indonesian artist Indieguerillas. Contemporary art from the Philippines in particular showed an impressive growth, with 95% of the lots by Filipino artists being sold.” 

Christie’s