HONG KONG.- #TTTOP, Sotheby’s evening auction of Western and Asian contemporary art in Hong Kong guest-curated by Asian pop icon T.O.P, will be held on 3 October during the Hong Kong Autumn Sale Series 2016. The result of a year-long collaboration, #TTTOP celebrates the rise of young Asian collectors who seek art across cultural boundaries. By showcasing new and important Asian artists who enjoy global recognition alongside their Western counterparts, the sale unites various generations, cultures, styles and schools of thought. This selection not only reflects T.O.P’s artistic choices, but also the international taste of the young Asian collecting community. Estimated at approximately HK$90,000,000 / US$11,500,000*, the sale brings together over 25 lots of contemporary artworks and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) to provide opportunities to emerging Asian artists.

“#TTTOP embodies Asia’s vibrant art scene, driven by a group of energetic young collectors including T.O.P himself.” –Evelyn Lin, Head of Contemporary Asian Art at Sotheby’s

International Contemporary Art
Leading the Western section is Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Infantry (1983). From the collection of internationally renowned Japanese art collector Mr. Yusaku Maezawa, the piece joins the auction as a gesture of support from Mr. Maezawa for T.O.P, his younger collector friend, and his debut curatorial endeavour. Dating from 1983, Infantry is a powerful work by Basquiat painted during his prime. The vibrant composition evokes the spirit of the New York art scene of the time.

“T.O.P is a good friend and we enjoy collecting together. When I learnt about this auction, I wanted to be a part of it.” – Yusaku Maezawa

The Western section of the auction will also feature works by the likes of blue-chip artists Andy Warhol, George Condo, Rudolf Stingel and Sigmar Polke; as well as two paintings by rising star Jonas Wood. A rare and important series by Keith Haring from the collection of legendary photographer David LaChapelle will also be offered.

The sale’s Asian section is anchored by top-grade museum-quality works by eminent Korean post-war masters including Kim Whanki, Park Seobo, Lee Ufan, Chung Sanghwa and Paik Nam June. Of special note is Lee Ufan’s With Winds (1988), a monumental canvas specially commissioned by a distinguished private collector during the zenith of Lee’s Winds era; as well as Chung Sanghwa’s Untitled 97-3-26 (1997), one of the largest white monochrome paintings by the artist ever to emerge on the international stage. Complementing such exquisite masterpieces are diverse works by exciting emerging artists hailing from Japan, Korea and China, including Gokita Tomoo, Park Jina and He Xiangyu, as well as artists who are already enjoying international exposure such as Saito Makoto.

In addition, a number of specially commissioned works by T.O.P’s contemporary artist friends, including Murakami Takashi and Nawa Kohei, will also be featured in this auction. Working closely with T.O.P on this auction, Yuki Terase, Specialist of Contemporary Asia Art at Sotheby’s in charge of the sale, commented:

“We are proud to present this unique auction. T.O.P has injected so much passion into this project, it is set to excite many people in the art world.” –Yuki Terase, Specialist of Contemporary Asia Art at Sotheby’s

Supporting Emerging Asian Artists
In line with his wish to support emerging Asian talents, T.O.P has donated his time to curate this auction and additionally, a portion of proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Asian Cultural Council (ACC). The ACC provides specialised programming, opening doors to a rich network of resources and professionals in their fields to help artists expand their vision through exposure to new environments and different approaches to creative thinking. Previous grantees include Kim Whanki, Nawa Kohei, Murakami Takashi and Paik Nam June.

AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS
ASIAN ART
• Park Seobo (b. 1931) Ecriture No. 222-85, 1985 Pencil and oil on canvas 161.8 x 194.8 cm Estimate: HK$8,000,000 – 12,000,000 / US$1,030,000 – 1,540,000

• Gokita Tomoo (b. 1969) Divorce, 2008 Gouache and acrylic on canvas 259.4 x 194.4 cm Estimate: HK$380,000 – 450,000 / US$48,700 – 57,700

• Lee Ufan (b. 1936) With Winds,1988 Acrylic and mineral pigment on canvas 218 x 291 cm Estimate: HK$6,500,000 – 8,500,000 / 769,000 – 1,090,000

• Saito Makoto (b. 1952) Snow B.B. (No. 20130301), 2013 Oil on canvas 189.5 x 178.5 cm Estimate: HK$1,400,000 – 2,000,000 / US$179,000 – 256,000

• Special Commissioned Work Nawa Kohei (b. 1975) PixCell-T.O.P (DOOM DADA), 2016 Mixed Media 19.3 x 26.0 x 18.3 cm Estimate: HK$50,000 – 80,000 / US$6,400 – 10,300

WESTERN ART
• Jonas Wood (b. 1977) Untitled (Red and Pink on Tan), 2009 Oil on linen 190.5 x 122 cm Estimate: HK$1,000,000 – 1,500,000 / US$128,000 – 192,000

• From the Collection of Yusaku Maezawa Jean Michel-Basquiat (1960–1988) Infantry, 1983 Acrylic on canvas 165 x 230.5 cm Estimate: HK$30,000,000 – 40,000,000 / US$3,850,000 – 5,130,000

• Rudolf Stingel (b. 1956) Untitled, 2012 Galvanized cast copper 120 x 100.3 cm Estimate: HK$6,200,000 – 9,200,000 / US$795,000 – 1,180,000

• From the Collection of David LaChapelle Keith Haring (1958–1990) Untitled (set of 23), 1982 Marker pen on paper Each 22.7 x 21.5 cm Estimate: HK$4,500,000 – 6,000,000 / US$577,000 – 769,000