PARIS.- On 5 and 6 October 2015, Artcurial is organising its first sale in Hong-Kong, in collaboration with Spink. Part of the auction will be dedicated entirely to European Comic Strips, with a group of 37 works estimated between 2,5 and 3,5 M€ (21,6 – 30,3 MHK$). The auction, the first of its kind devoted to European Comics in Asia, is confirmation of the interest of international collectors for this particular speciality and throws the spotlight on its authors, both classic and contemporary : Hergé, Enki Bilal, Moebius, Nicolas de Crécy, Loustal and Jean-Marc Rochette.

« World leader in the field of comic strips, Artcurial continues to push the boundaries. Since its inception, the department has actively participated in the international development of this market : for example the Enki Bilal exhibition - Oxymore (New York, Beijing, Berlin and Paris), and the Inbox installation during the last Venice Biennale. Artcurial’s commitment to the ninth art continues with this opening sale in Hong Kong. It is a unique opportunity to promote these works to Asian clients, increasingly present in Parisian sales » explained Eric Leroy, Artcurial’s expert in comic strips.

The big names in European Comics have helped bring together the two continents who share the same interest in graphic art and the importance of the Franco-Belgian school is clearly recognised.

« Let’s not forget that comics provided the inspiration for Andy Warhol’s first paintings. Today, collectors who appreciate this domain and who have come to understand its importance in twentieth century art come from a diverse range of backgrounds and are culturally very open-minded, which demonstrates the universality of the ninth art and the dynamism of this market. There remains a strong demand for high quality works and first-rate artists such as Hergé, Edgar P. Jacobs, Enki Bilal, Jacques Tardi plus a small number of designers who have helped turn the comic strip into a major art. » concluded Eric Leroy.

HERGÉ AND THE BLUE LOTUS
In 1936, following exotic adventures in Africa and America, Hergé sends his reporter from the Petit Vingtième to the Far East. In The Blue Lotus, Tintin and Snowy find themselves in Shanghaï, at the heart of a fantastic cultural and graphic world in full swing. But, more importantly, the artist created one of his most significant works that went on to seduce several generations of readers and establish his immense talent.

Artcurial is offering an exceptional piece : the third plate of this album, in Indian ink and white gouache. This drawing, one of the finest examples of what can be achieved using the ligne claire style and the only original from this legendary album still in private hands, is estimated at 1 000 000 – 1 500 000 € / 8 600 000 – 13 000 000 HK$. This illustration epitomises one of Tintin’s finest adventures, but also the whole of the 1930s, a period during which Hergé established the foundations of the comic strip.

ENKI BILAL – 16 ORIGINAL BOARDS AND ILLUSTRATIONS
The collection brought together for this event includes 16 works by Enki Bilal from reference albums that retrace twenty five years of his work : Les Phalanges de l’Ordre noir, La Foire aux Immortels, Partie de chasse, La Femme piège, Froid Équateur, Le Sommeil du Monstre.

This selection, crowned by three superb album covers including the one from La Femme piège, acrylic, Indian ink and pastel, estimated at 120 000 – 180 000 € / 1 000 000 – 1 500 000 HK$, enables us to follow the evolution of the artist, who continues to devote himself to painting with the same ardour. The Inbox exhibition at the Venice Biennale 2015, marks his official entry into the world of contemporary art.

This won’t be the first time his work has been shown in Asia. He has been the subject of several exhibitions, for example Bangkok (2007) and Beijing (2012 with the support of Artcurial).

MOEBIUS – ART AND SCIENCE FICTION
With his exhibition « Moebius Transe Forme » at the Cartier Foundation in 2010- 2011 and his work in the United States on the Ridley Scott films Alien, then Tron, Moebius is one of the most internationally recognised comic strip artists. From the beginning his graphic works of science fiction have attracted a wide audience of enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. In particular, Asian collectors will have the opportunity to marvel at Le Garage Hermétique, a work in Indian ink and gouache on thick paper, estimated at 55 000 – 75 000 € / 470 000 – 650 000 HK$.

NICOLAS DE CRÉCY – TOKYO AND JAPANESE MYTHOLOGY
Nicolas de Crécy is undoubtedly the artist who has developed the most ties with Asia, particularly since 2008, following his stay at the Villa Kujoyama in Kyoto. This culture proved to be a great source of inspiration to him. After Carnets de Kyoto (2012) and New York-sur-Loire (2013), the artist set off once again to explore the urban landscape : he chose Tokyo as his destination and now offers a beautiful series of drawings in both colour and black and white.

He makes reference to one of the greatest authors of Japanese Manga and directors of animated films with his work Chats dansants, hommage à Miyasaki, watercolour, ink and gouache on paper, estimated at 10 000 – 15 000 € / 85 000 – 130 000 HK$.

JEAN-MARC ROCHETTE - TRANSPERCENEIGE
The sale will conclude with an illustration for Volume IV of Transperceneige (published in October 2015 by Casterman editions), Indian ink on paper, estimated at 2 500 – 3 500 € / 20 000 – 30 000 HK$.

It was in 1982 that Jean-Marc Rochette took up this series created by Alexis and written by Jacques Lob. It was adapted for cinema in 2013 by the Korean Joonho Bong (Snowpiercer - Le Transperceneige), which contributed even more to its popularity. Alongside the comic strip, Jean-Marc Rochette exhibited his work as a painter: French Institute of Berlin (2013), Lyon Biennale of contemporary art (2011), Thessaloniki Biennale (2013). Like Enki Bilal, this brilliant graphic designer likes to establish links between the ninth art and contemporary art.