Sotheby's Hong Kong Results, Day Two - April 9,2008 on the second day of Sotheby’s spring 2008 sales at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, sales of Chinese Contemporary Art, totaled HK$403,042,750 (US$51,734,568)
million). The rhythm of the short brushstrokes is a vivid testament to the influence of Chinese calligraphy, the distinctive Chinese spirit so redolent in Guo’s art.
Works by Luo Zhongli also performed well, including his Golden Leopards, 1992, which sold for HK$12,647,500 / US$ 1,623,433 (lot 816, est. HK$4.5/5.5 million / US$576,923/705,128), and End of Year, 1981, which brought HK$6,823,500 / US$875,864 (lot 813, est. HK$3.5/4.5 million / US$448,718/576,923).
Another highlight of the sale was Yue Minjun’s Take The Plunge, 2002, one of the most important works drawn from the series of laughing self-images, in maniacal grins and cynical grimace, that are so instantly recognizable. The work sold for HK$20,487,500 / HK$2,629,776 (lot 970, est. HK$12/20 million, US$1.5/2.6 million).
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium; please note that Sotheby’s has an ownership interest in the Estella Collection.
