HONG KONG.- Phillips announced the appointment of Isaure de Viel Castel as Head of Department, 20th Century & Contemporary Art, and Senior Director, based in Hong Kong. The position strengthens Phillips’ growing team of experienced specialists in this critical segment.

Based in Hong Kong, Ms. de Viel Castel will supervise the 20th Century & Contemporary Art auction in Hong Kong under the direction of Jonathan Crockett, Head of 20th Century & Contemporary Art, Asia, and Deputy Chairman, Asia, who will continue to oversee the strategic development of this category in Asia. Ms. de Viel Castel will also work closely with the global 20th Century & Contemporary Art department and contribute to the sales in London and New York.

“We are delighted that Isaure is joining us,” said Jonathan Crockett, Head of 20th Century & Contemporary Art, Asia, and Deputy Chairman, Asia. “A highly-accomplished specialist in both 20th century and contemporary art, she brings with her an impressive wealth of experience and a veritable passion for this genre, which will add significant value to our already dynamic team in Asia. Having previously worked closely with Isaure, I am entirely confident that in her new capacity she will help us to grow our sales and expand our reach across Asia, and I greatly look forward to working with her again.”

Ms. de Viel Castel joins Phillips from Sotheby’s where she was responsible for launching the company’s first sale of western contemporary art in Hong Kong, a sale she oversaw for four years, managing business getting and curating the sale. Prior to that she worked for eight years in Sotheby’s in New York and Paris as a specialist in the impressionist and modern art department and contemporary art department respectively.

Phillips has significantly expanded its 20th Century & Contemporary Art team in Asia. In addition to Mr. Crockett and Ms. de Viel Castel, Phillips appointed Sandy Ma as Head of Evening Sale and Specialist of 20th Century & Contemporary Art and Charlotte Raybaud as Specialist. Jane Yoon was also appointed as International Specialist and Director of Korea, while Meiling Lee also recently joined the team as International Specialist, based in Taiwan. Kyoko Hattori, Phillips’ regional representative in Japan, also works closely with the department.

Phillips held its inaugural evening sale of 20th Century & Contemporary Art & Design in Asia in November 2016, and has continued to hold record-breaking sales in the category since, introducing significant works by international blue-chip artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cecily Brown and Sean Scully as well as emerging names, such as Shara Hugues and teamLab. So far the sale has set numerous records for works by such artists as Nick Knight, Yoshitomo Nara, Christine Ay Tjoe, KAWS, George Condo, Wolfgang Tillmans, to name a few.