HONG KONG.- Sotheby’s will launch “Contemporary Showcase”, a new series of boutique online auctions that adopts a dynamic “pop-up shop” concept, a fast-paced auction format, and exciting thematic presentations. Slated for Spring/Summer 2020, each Showcase features a tightly curated assemblage of works and runs for the duration of approximately one week. With swift turnaround between consignment and sale, the series meets the needs of both sellers and buyers in the rapidly evolving market, while allowing Sotheby’s to continue to bring exciting and ahead-of-the-curve offerings to clientele.

The new digital initiative responds to the robust results of Sotheby’s online auction programme. In 2020 to date, Sotheby’s has conducted over 30 dedicated online auctions worldwide, achieving HK$380+ million / US$50+ million in just four months. The recently concluded Contemporary Art Online auction in April was the largest ever staged by Sotheby’s Hong Kong, achieving over HK$10 million, over 300% the pre-sale low estimate, and growing over 670% in value since it was first launched in 2018. The sale has also significantly expanded the auction house's client base, with over 30% of the buyers being new to Sotheby’s and almost 50% of the bidders aged below 40.

Yuki Terase, Head of Contemporary Art, Asia of Sotheby’s, said: “During this unprecedented time, Asian collectors have enthusiastically participated in our online sales programme, driving record results that demonstrate the resilience of the Contemporary Art market. We are extremely gratified by the support of our clients, as demonstrated by our recently concluded Contemporary Art Online auction – the largest edition realised in Sotheby’s Hong Kong’s history. Our new ‘Contemporary Showcase’ series responds to this success, and we are confident that the new initiative will bring new and exciting opportunities for our audiences, both in Asia and worldwide.”

CONTEMPORARY SHOWCASE: ANOTHER WORLD
Online Auction: 28 April – 4 May

The first Showcase kicks off with “ANOTHER WORLD” – an eclectic selection of Western Contemporary Art. Led by Contamination by Sanya Kantarovsky, the tightly curated assemblage of six lots is grounded thematically by the poetic title of Tracey Emin’s Another World, with each work individually and collectively probing at the imaginative, restorative and escapist possibilities of the figurative image.

The variations in aesthetic, symbolism, wit and dark humour coalesce in a liminal space where the registers of seeing and making collide; while each composition remains faithfully allegiant to its image, the paintings offer an elusively liberating sense of destabilized possibility.

CONTEMPORARY SHOWCASE: MANGA
Selling Exhibition: 29 April – 8 May (By Appointment Only)
Online Auction 5 – 11 May

The second Showcase edition presents “MANGA” – the largest Manga assemblage ever to be offered at auction in Hong Kong, alongside a selling exhibition at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery. The auction presents 60 unique drawings and original Animation Celluloid Pictures (cel-ga) featuring some of the most beloved characters from popular animation series including Pokemon, Dragon Ball, Gundam and Totoro. These unique drawings and cel-ga were produced by some of the most prestigious animation houses, such as Studio Ghibli and Toei Animation.

Apart from the 60 works slated for the online auction, an additional 95 pieces will be presented in a selling exhibition at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery. Together, the auction and selling exhibition presents over 150 manga collectibles this Spring 2020.

SELLING EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS
29 April – 8 May

• Astro Boy by Mushi Production, Astro Boy Animation Cel, 1960s, acrylic on cel, 18 by 23 cm

• Dragon Ball Z by Toei Animation, Super Saiyan Goku Animation Cel, 1989-1996, acrylic on cel, 20 by 25 cm

ONLINE AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS*
5 May – 11 May

• Osamu and Tezuka Production, Astro Boy and Flying Horse. Signed by Osamu Tezuka and Original 1978 Calender Cover (Two Works), 1978, acrylic, pastel, pen on cardboard calendar: 50.5 by 35.5 cm; original: 67 by 49 cm. Est. HK$350,000 – 550,000

• My Neighbor Totoro by Studio Ghibli. Totoro Animation Cel, 1988, acrylic on cel, 23 by 36 cm. Est. HK$70,000 – 90,000

INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL TOUR
Sotheby’s presents interactive virtual tour for “Manga”, which will offer the opportunity to step inside the selling exhibition on display at Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery and browse exceptional pieces from the comfort of home. This exciting 360° experience will be available on Sotheby’s website.


*Selected works in the online auction will also be displayed at the selling exhibition.