Media Contacts Carrie Lau cylayu@polyauction.com.hk (852) 2303 9891 Reed Li rli@polyauction.com.hk (852) 2303 9892 Poly Auction Hong Kong s 2015 Autumn Auctions Key auction pieces: Sanyu Roses in a White Pitcher, Feng Ning A Glance of Nanjing City Preview: 3-4 October Auction: 5-6 October (Hong Kong, 3 October 2015) Poly Auction Hong Kong s 2015 Autumn Auctions will see some of the auction season s rarest and most exquisite pieces enter the market. Taking place at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong on 5 and 6 October, with a public preview on 3 and 4 October, the auction is set to attract collectors from Hong Kong, mainland China and internationally. One of the best platforms for collectors of Chinese classical and contemporary art, Poly Auction s Autumn Auction is bringing much sought after works to market. Bill Zhao, Director of Poly Auction Hong Kong, said, Since its establishment in 2012, Poly Auction Hong Kong has been receiving tremendous support from collectors, buyers and art lovers and we have been continuously achieving outstanding results. In 2014, our total transaction figure was close to HK$2,000,000,000, which was due in part to our strength in Chinese art. Alex Chang, Managing Director of Poly Auction Hong Kong, said, This season s auction will treat audiences to a diverse array of works catering to both established and new collectors with remarkable paintings from China s eminent contemporary artists and rare classical Chinese leading masters which hold great historical significance. Once such piece is Feng Ning s A Glance of Nanjing City, a magnificent 10 metre scroll hailed a Chinese national treasure. It is a spectacular Qing Dynasty hand-painted scroll 10 metres in length depicting a cityscape of Nanjing at that time, previously known as Jingling. Once displayed on the walls of China s ancient palaces, the rare masterpiece was commissioned through Emperor Qianlong s reign, the sixth emperor of the Qing dynasty, who was known for his lavish imperial collection and strong advocacy for the preservation of Confucian culture. Feng Ning s scroll is one of the few surviving treasures from the time period. Painted in 1929, Sanyu s Roses in a White Pitcher is one of the notable contemporary Chinese artist s earliest key works. Regarded as the Chinese Matisse", Sanyu was one of the first Chinese artists to study in Paris and was one of the pivotal pioneers of Chinese modernist art. Roses in a White Pitcher reflects the marriage of his traditional Chinese training and the influence of new modernist trends. Another highlight on the contemporary art side is Zeng Fanzhi s Mask Series 2001 No.5. The Beijing-based artist s paintings can be recognised immediately by their signature expressionistic style and emotional directness. Zeng's representation of raw, exposed flesh and awkwardly over-sized hands is a play on the superficially composed appearances of his subjects and the treatment of emotional performance as a metaphor for a lost self. 1
To mark the 30 th anniversary of the 85 Art Movement, significant works by iconic Chinese contemporary artists Zhang Peili, Geng Jianyi, Gu Wenda, Mao Xuhui, and Yu Youhan will be presented. The 85 Art Movement marked a momentous time period in China s contemporary art history during which many internationally influential artists emerged, establishing the art structure of contemporary China and its position in the art world. Some of the greatest ink-wash paintings from the turn of the 21 st century are set to attract collectors, including Lin Fengmian s Chinese Opera Characters and Wu Guanzhong s Waterfall. In addition, the auction will present valuable works from Hong Kong and Taiwanese artists, such as The Rise and Fall of Sun and Moon by Liu Kuo-sung and A Young Girl by Hsiao Ju-sun. Images of 2015 Autumn Auctions Highlights High resolution versions images can be downloaded here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/63zdnial1xheg7b/aabtxpgryzp7v3ocp7229haqa?dl=0 Chinese and Asian Modern and Contemporary Art Sanyu Roses in a White Pitcher Oil on canvas 73 x 50 cm (28 3/4 x 19 3/4 in.) Painted in 1929 Chu Teh-Chun Subtilité hivernale Oil on canvas 130 x 100 cm (51 1/4 x 39 1/4 in.) Painted in 1985 Zao Wou-Ki Champs Oil on canvas 46 x 61 cm (18 x 24 in.) Painted in 1954-1955 Estimate: HK$ 8,000,000-16,000,000 US$ 1,025,600-2,051,300 Zeng Fanzhi Mask Series 2001 No.5 Oil on canvas 109.5 x 109.5 cm (43 x 43 in.) Painted in 2001 Estimate: HK$ 6,000,000-8,000,000 US$ 769,200-1,025,600 Zhang Peili Midsummer Swimmers Oil on canvas 173.5 x 170 cm (68 1/4 x 67 in.) Painted in 1985 2
Modern and Contemporary Chinese Ink and Works on Paper Lin Fengmian Chinese Opera The Southern Gate Framed; ink and colour on paper 66.5 64.5 cm Estimate: HK$ 5,500,000-8,000,000 US$ 705,100-1,025,600 Hsiao Ju-Sun A Young Girl Watercolour on paper 100 x 72.5 cm Estimate: HK$ 780,000-1,000,000 US$ 100,000-128,200 Liang Quan Tea-Zen No.3 Mixed on canvas 183 x 100 cm Painted in 2006 Estimate: HK$ 420,000-500,000 US$ 53,800-64,100 Liu Kuo-Sung The Rise and Fall of Sun and Moon Mounted; ink and colour on paper 58 89 cm Painted in 1969 Estimate: HK$ 500,000-800,000 US$ 64,100-102,600 Liu Yong Spring Framed; ink and colour on silk 75.5 116 cm Painted in 2014 Estimate: HK$ 550,000-800,000 US$ 76,900-102,600 3
Classical Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy Feng Ning Jinling (Nanjing) Painting Hand scroll; Ink and colour on paper 35 1050cm (13 ¾ 413 3/8 in.) Fine Modern Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy Chen Wen Hsi Gibbons Mounted; ink and colour on paper 145 x 366 cm (57 1/8 x 144 1/8 in.) Painted in 1969 Estimate: HK$ 4,800,000-6,000,000 US$ 615,400-769,200 4
Fu Baoshi Visiting Friends with Guqin Mounted, ink and colour on paper 54 x 58.5 cm (21 1/4 x 23 in.) Estimate: HK$ 6,000,000-8,000,000 US$ 769,200-1,025,600 Zhang Daqian Figures Hanging scroll; ink and colour on paper 116 x 50 cm (45 5/8 x 19 5/8 in.) Estimate: HK$ 7,500,000-9,500,000 US$ 961,500-1,217,900 Zhang Daqian Sailing by Mountains Mounted; ink and colour on gold paper 29.5 x 39 cm (11 5/8 x 15 3/8 in.) Estimate: HK$ 1,200,000-1,800,000 US$ 153,800-230,800 Qi Baishi Palm Tree Hanging scroll; ink on paper 204 x 39 cm (80 3/8 x 15 3/8 in.) Estimate: HK$ 2,300,000-2,800,000 US$ 294,900-359,000 5
Notes to Editors: Timetable for Poly Auction Hong Kong s 2015 Autumn Auctions Poly Auction Hong Kong s Autumn Auctions 2015 Timetable 5 October 10:30am Chinese Contemporary Ink and Modern Works on Paper 10:30am Chinese and Western Wine (Whisky Session) 1:00pm Fine Modern Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy Important Watches 6 October 10:30am Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art 10:30am Noble Collections and Accessories Glossiness of Uncarved Jade - Special Auction of Cui Ruzhuo Important Works of Chen Wen Hsi Classical Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy 5:00pm Chinese and Asian Modern and Contemporary Art 1:30pm Precious Jewels Session 2:00pm Chinese and Western Wine (Wine Session) III. About Poly Auction Hong Kong Poly Auction Hong Kong, established in 2012 by Poly Culture Group Corporation Limited, is a young but remarkable auction house in Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific region. Beijing Poly International Auction, a subsidiary of Poly Culture Group, is China s largest state-owned auction house and holds the highest auction transaction volume of Chinese art in the world. Poly Culture Group expanded its auction business to Hong Kong in 2012 with the establishment of Poly Auction Hong Kong, and was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 6 March 2014 (Poly Culture Group Corp. Ltd., 3636 HK). Poly Auction Hong Kong has repeatedly achieved record auction results over the past two years, with the 2014 Spring and Autumn Auctions witnessed a total transaction sum of HK$2 billion (US$252 million). Poly Auction Hong Kong comprises of seven departments: Chinese and Asian Modern and Contemporary Art, Chinese Contemporary Ink Paintings, Fine Modern Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, Classical Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Jewels and Watches and Chinese and Western Wine. Poly Auction selects only genuine, exquisite and rare artwork. Entering the international art market, Poly Auction aims to provide professional consultation, exceptional collections and the highest quality service. Poly Auction has a global network of offices in 11 cities, including Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei, Tokyo, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sydney, Melbourne and Paris. Website: www.polyauction.com.hk Sina Weibo: polyauctionhk WeChat: polyauction-hongkong 6