Ravenel Art Taipei Auction Topped by Cai Guo Qiang and Zhang Xiaogang

Once again for Ravenel Art, the auction auditorium in the Fubon National Conference Center on Sunday December 7, 2008 was packed with more than 500 people and 250 registered bidders but bidding reflected the new realities of a challenging market. Total sales reached USD 7, 245, 540, which was 66.41% of value, a very respectable result in difficult market conditions. 102 of 147 lots were sold representing 69.39%.

As has been witnessed in New York, London and Hong Kong over the last few months, there is still a market for high quality works at attractive prices. The top selling lot on Sunday was Cai Guo Qiang’s ‘Descending Wolves for the Guggenheim International Gala’, which realized USD 903, 995 among intense early bidding. One of the best of Cai’s ‘explosion pictures’, it is truly a masterpiece of the artist’s technique and expression. Created on five paper panels, it depicts a pack of wolves descending a rocky mountain. Cai has captured the full power, beauty and energy of the wolves through his use of explosives and created a magnificent picture where the tones and hues evoke the greatness of traditional Chinese ink and brush painting.

Zhang Xiaogang’s ‘Bloodline Series – Big Family’ brought in a winning bid of USD 837, 209. Painted in 1998, the work reflects the mature abilities of Zhang in this series. The painting is of particular note because of the intenseness of the expression in the eyes of the mother, father and son created by an artist at the height of his powers. Based on old black and white family photographs, the Bloodline Series depicts the soul and character of the Chinese people who have alert yet distant gazes.

A superb work from Wang Huaiqing’s Ming Furniture Series, ‘Separation and Reunion’ fetched USD 703, 637. Depicting a deconstructed Ming chair, the work is a profound study of a symbol at the heart of Chinese Culture.

Works by Ju Ming, world famous for his Taichi Series of sculptures, continued to perform well. ‘Taichi Series – Shadow Boxing’, a pair of wood sculptures raised USD 474, 955. Exquisitely carved, the sculptures capture the full power, energy and calmness of Taichi.

‘Composition No. 190’, [USD 369, 410] an abstract by Chu Teh-chun, attracted a lot of interest because of the rarity of its style. A very beautiful work, created in dark colors, and bursting with energy, it evokes a rocky landscape. The full power of Chu’s merging of traditional Chinese expression in ink and brush paintings and Western oil painting techniques is seen in the picture. Another Work by Chu ‘Souffle de la nature’ fetched USD 182, 946. A more traditional work by Chu, it is suffused with light and color.

There were some surprising results considering the present market. Two statues by Li Chen, a Taiwanese sculptor, renowned for his Buddhist works attracted fierce bidding. ‘Landscape in Heaven’ a large Buddha holding a golden mountain in one hand and silver water in the other while standing on a cloud, brought in USD 154, 800. Rounded and smooth, and imbued with calmness and serenity the work is sure to bring peaceful feelings to its new owner. Another smaller sculpture ‘Cultivated by Mist and Cloud’ also attracted intense bidding and realized USD 42, 218.

Huang Gang’s works continue to surprise the market this autumn and ‘Beijing My Home’ was no exception fetching USD 84, 436, more than double its high estimate. Huang renowned for creating collages from Tibetan wooden sutras and various artifacts from Tibet, this time has created a magnificent work using materials from his hometown, Beijing. Centered round a large red star, symbol of China, Huang has placed traditional woodcuts used to print records of ancestors. The work is a splendid example of Huang’s artistic sensibilities and captures the full power of his belief in remembering the past.

A very rare oil painting by Shiy De-jinn, a Taiwanese master artist ‘Portrait of Painter Tian Mian-shi’, brought in USD 73, 882, close to its high estimate. A really beautiful portrait executed in blues, black and touches of red with a white background, it demonstrates Shiy’s knowledge and understanding of the use of space, tone and hue in traditional Chinese painting.

Two records were set for young Chinese Contemporary artists. Chen Liu’s ‘Door Gods (diptych)’, a magnificent depiction of temple door Gods brought in the artist’s record price at USD 38, 000. The pictures are mesmerizing in detail and execution, painted in wonderful browns, golds and oranges, the door gods are displayed in splendid attire with their guard dogs. The detail is almost magical and is created through fine swirls in the paint. A record was also set for Jia Gang’s ‘It Takes Strength to Speak Out’, USD 35, 182, doubling its high estimate. In the vein of Political Pop it depicts a group of young people grouped around microphones with only one willing as it were to stick his neck out. Another painting by a young Chinese artist also attracted strong bidding. Wei Jia’s ‘Say Goodbye V’ an atmospheric portrayal of a young black-cloaked man sitting with his back to us on a branch of a huge tree is reflective of the artist’s introverted nature.

Japanese art maintained it’s strong appeal with 10 of 11 lots finding buyers. Hiroyuki Matsuura’s ‘Yellow’ fetched USD 45, 736, which was within the estimate. A work by Yoshitomo Nara ‘Untitled’ depicting a small child with angst in her eyes attracted a lot of interest and sold for USD 42, 218. In the Korean art section works by Kwon Ki-soo and Ha Sang-Rim found buyers.

As the market adjusts to new realities, Ravenel Art has shown that with high quality works and reasonable price estimates, the art market in Taiwan is alive and well. Bidders are still willing to buy as long as the works on offer meet their expectations.

All prices include commission and are based on an exchange rate of USD 1 = New Taiwan Dollar 33.54.

David Kearney
Public Relations Director
Ravenel Art Group
15F-2, 76, Tun-Hua S. Rd. Sec.2
Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Tel: 886-2-27089868 ext. 183
Fax: 886-2-27011709
Email: david_kearney@ravenelart.com
Website: http://en.ravenelart.com, www.ravenelart.com

Related posts:

1. Ravenel Autumn Auction Modern and Contemporary Aisan Art Taipei 2009
2. Ravenel Art Presents Cai Guo Qiang’s ‘Descending Wolves for the Guggenheim International Gala’ at its Taipei Auction on December 7
3. Ravenel Art Enjoys Success in Hong Kong
4. Ravenel Art’s 10th Anniversary Spring Auction of Modern and Contemporary Asian Art Enjoys Success
5. Ravenel Art’s Autumn Sales of Modern and Contemporary Asian Art Reach USD16.6 Million