Auction house Christie’s will hold an autumn sale titled ‘The Pioneers’ on 26 November at Hong Kong. The sale will be the first to commemorate notable contemporary Asian artists while also celebrating Christie’s 250th anniversary. 

Avid collectors will be able to get their hands on works of influential, avant-garde Asian artists from the 20th and 21st century, including Sanyu, Zao Wou-ki, Zhang Daqian, Wu Guanzhong, Lin Fengmian and Kim Whan-ki.

CHU TEH-CHUN (ZHU DEQUN, France/China, 1920-2014)
VERTIGE NEIGEUX (SNOWY VERTIGO)
Oil on canvas
Each: 200 x 200 cm. (78 ¾ x 78 ¾ in.) (2)
Overall: 200 x 400 cm. (78 ¾ x 157 ½ in.)

A number of the artists have actually lived abroad for some time of their lives, allowing them to blend their Eastern heritage with Western art techniques and philosophies, thus shaping an innovative art style.  

The cultural fusion is also reflected through the chosen auction venue of Hong Kong, which Rebecca Wei, president of Christie’s Asia, described as “a point of confluence between Western and Eastern philosophies”.

RYUZABURO UMEHARA (Japanese, 1888-1986)
CANNES
oil on canvas
129 x 95 cm. (50 ¾ x 37 ⅜ in.)
Painted in 1961-1963
HK$ 10,000,000 – 16,000,000
US$ 1,285,400 – 2,056,600

Jonathan Stone, chairman of Asian Art at Christie’s, adds: “Hosting the sale in Hong Kong stays true to our continued belief in championing innovation and presenting on the world stage artist of the highest cultural and artistic accomplishment.”

‘The Pioneers’ sale will be held on 26 November 2016, at the James Christie’s Room, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, No. 1 Expo Drive, Wanchai.’