Rising popularity of Hong Kong artists among collectors on show at Sotheby’s sale
Growing interest in Hong Kong art may be reflected in higher prices at auction, artist hope
A new selling exhibition at Sotheby’s Hong Kong gallery is unusual for two reasons. It is entirely devoted to local contemporary art. It is also a collaboration of the auction house, a major private collector, as well as a number of Hong Kong commercial galleries.
Since 2012, Sotheby’s Hong Kong has held numerous private sales in addition to its traditional auction business as a way to diversify revenue streams. But its Pacific Place gallery space has never featured a sale devoted to living, local artists, until now.
From February 26 to March 10, more than 50 works by more than a dozen names will be on show in a duo-exhibition: one part is a selection from collector William Lim’s well-known treasure trove of local art – those works are not for sale – and the other is a selling exhibition of more than 30 pieces gathered from various sources.
The lists of artists featured in the two sections are nearly identical, as Sotheby’s says it has used Lim’s exhibition to “frame” the sale. It has sought out artworks from individual sellers, artists and the galleries that represent them.
