News & Views

Young Malaysian Artists: New Object(ion) II (YMA II)

21 October 2013

Galeri Petronas is showcasing contemporary artworks by 20 emerging Malaysian artists at the Young Malaysian Artists: New Object(ion) II (YMA II) exhibition.

First established by Galeri Petronas in 2010, the “Young Malaysian Artists” (YMA) series celebrates up-and-coming Malaysian artists who represent radical new voices in the local contemporary art scene with cutting-edge innovations, ideas and expressions ranging from video art to conventional paintings via a diversity of approaches – from painting to installation.

What will happen to Zain’s art collection

17 October 2013

Veteran art collector Zain Azahari, 78, gave an interesting and revealing interview on BFM 89.9 radio station on Oct 16 on The Front Row, about what’s going to happen to his art collection when he is no longer around. Click here for the interview: Audio Podcast | Favourites from the Zain Azahari Collection

Zao Wou-ki leads the way

11 October 2013

Abstraction, a 1958 painting by Zao Wou-ki – estimated at between RM18.1mil to RM23.2mil – will spearhead Sotheby’s auction of Modern & Contemporary Chinese Art on Dec 1 in Beijing. Riding on the momentum of its just-concluded Sotheby’s Hong Kong sales from Oct 4-8, which realised a total of RM1.7bil (HK$4.196bil/US$538mil), the auction house wasted no time in announcing how it will further tackle the China market which seemingly has a huge appetite for works priced in the multi-millions, whichever the denomination.

Christie’s Hong Kong Autumn Auctions 2013

11 October 2013

Christie’s Hong Kong will hold its 2013 Hong Kong Autumn Auctions from November 23 to 27 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Starting from October, activities and events will be presented throughout the auction season.

China Guardian HK achieves RM210mil

8 October 2013

To mark is 20th anniversary, China Guardian offered over 600 lots in its Aututmn Auction in Hong Kong and achieving a total of HK$510mil (RM210.1mil) after two days of sales which ended on Oct 6.

The Aututmn Auction highlights included the evening sale entitled “Grand View: A Night in Hong Kong” and a dedicated sale of “20th Century and Contemporary Chinese Art”.

The highest price achieved was Song Lizong’s Calligraphy in Regular Script which sold for HK$42.25mil, five times the estimated price.

Zhang Daqian’s splashed ink painting sells for RM14.3mil

8 October 2013

Sotheby’s Chinese Paintings Department head C.K. Cheung said in a statement dated Oct 7: “The results of today’s sale of Fine Chinese Paintings are testament to the appeal of Sotheby’s careful sourcing strategy of assembling works of great quality with high artistic value at attractive estimates. Sotheby’s stature as an international auction house allowed us to offer paintings from an Important North American Private Collection, and other curated sections, which appeal to our clients.”

Southeast Asian Art Hits New High

7 October 2013

The third day of the five-day Sotheby’s Hong Kong’s Autumn 2013 sale series concluded yesterday with the day sales of 20th Century Chinese Art, Contemporary Asian Art and Modern and Contemporary Southeast Asia Art.

The stellar line-up of works over the past three days included significant masterpieces by major artists, in celebration of Sotheby’s 40 years in Asia. Following the record-breaking Sotheby’s Hong Kong 40th Anniversary evening sale held on Oct 5, more auction records were established, bringing the total number of artist records from 12 to 16.

Launch of art gallery @ Kaffa Espresso Bar Penang

4 October 2013

Kaffa Espresso Bar, a Kuala Lumpur-based coffee bar, recently launched its second outlet in Georgetown, Penang alongside the launch of its art gallery.

Speaking at the launch event, Dr. Darren Ng, Group Managing Director of Kaffa Espresso Bar said, “Most people perceive an espresso bar as just another coffee place with a cool name. However, it is so much more than that. It is the distinct yet subtle concept of the connection between coffee and art behind it that gives it the wow factor.”

Art Expo chugs on

28 September 2013

The recent 7th International Art Expo Malaysia featured a fairly international spread with artworks from a number of countries including Russia, India, Hungary, Myanmar, Taiwan and the UK.

Held at the Matrade Exhibition & Convention Centre in Kuala Lumpur from Sept 19-22, the art fair boasted some 60 exhibitors from 26 countries with about 2,000 works of art.

Art without barriers

28 September 2013

A group of local artists comprising the likes of Ahmad Zakii Anwar, Jalaini Abu Hassan, Datuk Sharifah Fatimah Zubir, Bayu Utomo Radjikin, Kow Leong Kiang and Chong Siew Ying have contributed artworks to mount an exhibition to help raise funds for a Buddhist centre.

Other participants include senior artists Jolly Koh and Cheong Laitong as well as Eston Tan, Bibi Chew, Koh Choon Lee, Marvin Chan, Noor Mahnun Mohamad, Siund Tan, Khairul Azmir Shoib (Meme), Shia Yih Yiing, Lim Hui Lin, Pam Lim and William Mok.