Phillips Hong Kong's "Modern and Contemporary Art Evening Sale" is scheduled for September 30, 2026.The exhibition brings together a carefully selected collection of rare and exceptional works by internationally renowned artists across generations and regions, including Gerhard Richter, Zao Wou-Ki, Zeng Fanzhi, Hajime Sorayama, Lauren Quin, Natee Utarit, and Issy Wood. Several leading lots are highly anticipated for their exceptional quality, rarity, and distinguished provenance. The preview will be held from September 21 to 30 at Phillips' Asia headquarters in Hong Kong's West Kowloon Cultural District.

Gerhard Richter

Abstraction (522-1)

Oil on canvas, painted in 1983.

100 x 70 cm

Estimate: HKD 18,000,000 - 25,000,000

Leading the evening sale is Gerhard Richter's *Abstract (522-1)*, created in 1983. Born during the artist's acclaimed peak of "Wild Abstraction," a period widely considered one of the most groundbreaking breakthroughs in postwar painting, this work, completed in a pivotal year when Richter moved from Düsseldorf to Cologne, profoundly reflects the turbulent moment of his artistic transformation. It showcases the most explosive and rhythmic aspects of his mature scraping technique, achieving a balance between control and chance, layering colors to create a magnificent picture rich in color and full of visual tension.

This painting has an illustrious provenance, originally acquired from the artist by the highly influential curator Kasper König. It was featured in the groundbreaking retrospective of Gerhard Richter, "Gerhard Richter. Bilder 1962-1985," at the Düsseldorf Art Museum and the Neue Künchen Museum in Berlin, and subsequently toured several major art institutions across Europe. Furthermore, it is included in key documents such as the authoritative catalogue of the artist compiled by German art historian Dietmar Elger.

Combining scarcity, illustrious provenance, and authoritative exhibition history, "Abstract (522-1)" is arguably one of the most important abstract works of this milestone period. It embodies the artist's pioneering exploration of the essence of color, the tactile sensation of matter, and the dynamic interplay between control and randomness, and is undoubtedly a masterpiece of great collection value in his abstract lineage.

Zeng Fanzhi, Mask Series No. 4

Oil on canvas, painted in 1994

166 x 180 cm Formerly in the Ullens Collection

Estimate: HKD 11,000,000–16,000,000

Another highlight of the evening auction was Zeng Fanzhi's *Mask Series No. 4*, created in 1994, a series widely recognized as one of the most representative works in the history of contemporary Chinese art. Created in the inaugural year of the *Mask* series, this work marks a crucial turning point in Zeng Fanzhi's artistic career. He transitioned from the raw and violent expressionism of his early *Hospital* series to visual symbols imbued with profound meaning and psychological depth, thus establishing his international reputation. Born shortly after the artist moved from Wuhan to Beijing, the work keenly captures the spiritual anxieties and desires of a society undergoing dramatic changes. Using the "mask" as a medium, it profoundly reveals deep themes of identity, conformity, and complex human relationships in modern Chinese urban life during the 1990s.

With its extremely rare composition of two seated figures, this work stands out among the artist's works in the same series, making it one of the most iconic masterpieces of this period. Its significance is also highlighted by its illustrious provenance: formerly in the collection of the renowned collector and philanthropist Baron Ullens, one of the pioneers who first brought Chinese contemporary art to the international stage. His collection undoubtedly adds profound academic and historical weight to this work. Furthermore, the work boasts an exhibition record spanning numerous important institutions in Europe and South America. Combined with the unique academic value of its inaugural year, its rare composition, its prestigious provenance, and its widespread academic recognition, *Mask Series No. 4* not only marks a crucial turning point in Zeng Fanzhi's artistic transformation but also witnesses the turbulent era of Chinese contemporary art's rise to the world stage, truly a landmark masterpiece.

Zao Wou-Ki, Untitled (Teapot)

Oil on canvas, painted in 1951

54 x 65 cm

Estimate: HKD 10,000,000-15,000,000

Zao Wou-Ki's *Untitled (Teapot)*, created in 1951, coincided with a pivotal period in his artistic journey, marked by his encounter with Paul Klee and a profound awakening of his artistic vision, which launched his later world-renowned abstract vocabulary. While the still-life subject retains the concrete forms of the teapot, vase, and flowers, the brushstrokes already exude the flowing spirit of calligraphy. This work is a superb testament to the fusion of Western modernism and Chinese artistic tradition, blending the structural explorations of European avant-garde painting with the spiritual essence of Chinese ink painting, showcasing an unparalleled cultural breadth.

The significance of this work is amplified by its history of collection and exhibition. It was originally purchased directly from the artist by Harry N. Abrams, a giant in the American publishing industry, and treasured by the Abrams family for over half a century before entering an important private collection in Asia. As early as 1952, the work was presented to American audiences at Zao Wou-Ki's first solo exhibition in New York, becoming a precious opportunity for the Western world to understand his artistic creation. Subsequently, it was invited to appear in the major exhibition "School of Paris 1959: The Internationals" held at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, alongside heavyweight figures in postwar European avant-garde art, thus leaving an indelible mark on the international art map for Zao Wou-Ki.

As part of the "Living Art" project, a collaboration between Phillips and Capella Hotels & Resorts, the successful purchaser will be invited to stay in a suite at the Capella Taipei Hotel and enjoy a specially curated "Cultural and Travel Selection" experience, allowing art collection and destination exploration to naturally converge in Capella's exceptional hospitality.

Auction Information

Modern and Contemporary Art Evening Sale: September 30, 4:30 PM

Preview: September 21-30, 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Location: Phillips Asia Headquarters | G/F, West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Building, 8 Austin Road West, West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong

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