Works painted by Zao Wou Ki, the Franco-Chinese painter who died a few months ago, reached new heights at Sotheby's in Hong Kong during an auction sale held on October 5, 2013, which totaled HK 1, 132,470,003 (almost 145,19 million USD) thanks to bidders from 25 countries.
With more than 600 people in a standing-room-only saleroom, and many competing by phone as well, both new and established collectors responded enthusiastically to the unique opportunity to acquire works of superb quality across the categories of 20th Century Chinese Art, Contemporary Asian Art and Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asian Art.
The sale achieved the highest total of any comparable sale in Asia, more than doubling the previous record which stood at HK 492,660,000. Zeng Fanzhi's "The Last Supper", a 2001 oil on canvas sold for HK $180,440,000 / US$23,273,151 setting a record for a work of Asian Contemporary Art and for the work of a living Chinese artist. The sale also set records for ten other artists including Zao Wou-ki, Liu Ye, Pan Yuliang, Walter Spies, Ay Tjoe Christine, Chen Wen Hsi, Juan Luna, Cesar Legaspi, Georgette Chen and Rudi Mantofani.
Zao Wou Ki's "15.01.82", a 1982 oil on canvas struck a new world record at 10,982,205 USD (inclusive of buyer's premium) followed by Chen Yi Fe's "Red Flag", a 1971-72 oil on canvas sold at 10,210,256 USD.
Another Zao Wou Ki word of 1966, titled "16.5.66" reached 10,210,256 USD while his " 3.4.60-1.2.69" oil on canvas sold for 9,061,538 USD.
Sanyu's "Gold Fish", an oil on canvas painted during the 1930's or 40's went for 8,630,769 USD while Liu Ye's "Sword" , an acrylic and oil on canvas of 2001-2002 sold for 5,471,795 USD.
Walter Spies's "Blick von der Höhe" ( a view from the Heights) fetched a record 4,035, 897 USD while Zao Wou Ki's "30.7.64", an oil on canvas went for 4,897,436 USD.
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