For those seeking artworks of excellence, Christie’s represents the quintessence of authenticity and expertise. The auction house, founded by James Christie in 1766, is backed by 250 years of acute knowledge in all things art-related.

Today, Christie’s has a global presence in 46 countries. Since its first office opened in Asia, including Hong Kong 30 years ago, Christie’s has played a major role in propelling Hong Kong to its international status as the leading arts hub in Asia.

One way in which Christie’s Hong Kong is achieving this is through its FIRST OPEN auctions, which offer new and established collectors the opportunity to acquire works by the most sought-after artists at accessible prices.

Following on from the success of last year’s edition, the unique auction returns this month.

Running in conjunction with Art Basel Hong Kong 2017, FIRST OPEN will continue to cultivate art connoisseurship by presenting a diverse range of artworks that are purposefully curated with four themes in mind.

The Global Abstract unites avant-garde Asian abstract works and bold Western post-war, as well as contemporary abstractionism spanning the 20th century to today. Works under this theme include the vibrantly hued Yellow and White Light Black Back by Japanese artist Sadamasa Motonaga.

CHU TEH-CHUN (ZHU DEQUN, FRANCE/CHINA, 1920-2014)
No. 115
oil on canvas
81 x 65 cm. (31 7/8 x 25 5/8 in.)
Painted in 1962
HK$2,000,000 – 3,000,000

SADAMASA MOTONAGA (JAPAN, 1922-2011)
Yellow and White Light Black Back
synthetic resin paint on canvas
34 x 25 cm. (13 3/8 x 9 7/8 in.)
Executed in 1986
HK$120,000 – 220,000

PAUL JENKINS (USA, 1923-2012)
Phenomena Swiss Visit
acrylic on canvas
195.5 x 180.3 cm. (77 x 71 in.)
Painted in 1975
HK$200,000 - 280,000

OH SE-YEOL (KOREA, B.1945)
Untitled
64.5 x 35 cm. (25 5/8 x 13 ¾ in.)
oil on board
Painted in 1998
HK$65,000-85,000

The Eternal Portrait explores the relationship between painter and the subject. Here, visitors can view Mai Trung Thu’s elegant Woman with Child described in ink and gouache on silk mounted on paper.

MAI TRUNG THU (VIETNAM, 1906-1980)
Coquette avec petite miroir
ink and gouache on silk mounted on paper in the original frame
20.2 x 15 cm. (8 x 6 in.)
HK$150,000-200,000

MAI TRUNG THU (VIETNAM, 1906-1980)
Woman with Child
ink and gouache on silk mounted on paper in the original frame
24 x 18 cm. (9 ½ x 7 in.)
Painted in 1954
HK$150,000-200,000

The Pioneering Explorers celebrates contemporary artists who break pre-existing art norms by working with modern materials and techniques, such as L’Ego Mondrian – Orange Bridge crafted in chromed and lacquered iron by Matteo Negri.

YAYOI KUSAMA (JAPAN, B.1929)
Town HHH
acrylic on canvas
22 x 27.5 cm. (8 5/8 x 10 7/8 in.)
Painted in 2004
HK$240,000 - 360,000

MATTEO NEGRI (ITALY, B. 1982)
L’Ego Mondrian – Orange Bridge
chromed and laquered iron
75 x 75 x 20 cm. (29 1/2 x 29 1/2 x 7 7/8 in.)
Executed in 2014
HK$40,000 – 80,000

The Intimate Sculpture showcases beautifully proportioned sculptural works by internationally acclaimed artists, which blend naturally into the backdrop of our daily lives. A bronze piece titled Sky by Taiwan’s Li Chen and Taichi Series – Preparation for Underarm Strike in wood by Ju Ming will be on show.

JU MING (ZHU MING, TAIWAN, B.1938)
Taichi Series - Preparation for Underarm Strike
wood sculpture
39 x 36 x 20 cm. (15 3/8 x 14 1/8 x 7 7/8 in.)
Executed in 1982
HK$800,000 – 1,000,000

LI CHEN (TAIWAN, B. 1963)
Sky
bronze sculpture
29 x 22 x 50 cm. (11 ½ x 8 ½ x 19 3/4 in.)
Executed in 2012
edition 23/30
HK$240,000 – 350,000

Whether an art-lover or collector, Christie’s FIRST OPEN offers a heterogeneous collection that captivates both heart and imagination.

Preview: 20-23 March
Auction: 23 March, 3pm
Venue: The James Christie Room, 22/F, Alexandra House, Central

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