Hong Kong – Christie's is pleased to announce the debut of Zao Wou-Ki's monumental work, 17.3.63 (estimate: HK$70,000,000-90,000,000 / US$9,000,000-12,000,000), in the 20th and 21st Century Evening Sale on September 26 at The Henderson, Christie's Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong. 17.3.63 is a masterpiece from Zao's "cursive period," dominated by a rare vibrant red, and possesses a powerful and arresting presence. Zao created this work in the early 1960s, at the time of his rise to international prominence. The work was included in the artist's first retrospective at the Folkwang Museum in Essen, Germany, in 1965.

Christie's Asia Chairman Cheng Shoukang said“We are deeply honored to witness the debut of Zao Wou-Ki’s monumental work, 17.3.63. This iconic work by a modern master, from one of the artist’s most sought-after periods, will garner enthusiastic attention from art collectors worldwide due to its peak quality. This work exemplifies Zao Wou-Ki’s signature style, blending Eastern and Western aesthetics, combining the bold, unrestrained brushstrokes of Chinese cursive script with the rich, vibrant colors of Western painting. Christie’s is proud to offer this work in this evening sale, affirming our undisputed leadership in the 20th-century art market.”

Ho Sin-hang, Senior Vice President of Christie’s Asia Pacific and Deputy Head of 20th and 21st Century Art, believes"'17.3.63' was painted during Zao Wou-Ki's peak period, solidifying his status as a giant of abstract art. The large expanses of vibrant red in the work are visually striking, imbued with movement and passion. From retrospectives at the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris to those at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, Zao's influence on the international abstract art scene remains profound. This season, we are proud to present this museum-quality masterpiece, '17.3.63', which showcases the artist's vision and rich emotional richness, and pays tribute to Zao Wou-Ki's enduring artistic achievement."

There are only 19 paintings of similar size or larger created by Zao Wou-Ki in the 1960s using bright red.Of these, only eight (including this work) remain, none of which have ever appeared at auction. "17.3.63" employs the classic central axis composition of the artist's "cursive period." The rapid, calligraphic brushstrokes, flowing from top to bottom, imbue the painting with a sense of power, showcasing the passion and confidence of the artist at the peak of his artistic career. This work also demonstrates the artist's supreme mastery of light and shadow. He moved to a spacious, glass-roofed studio in Paris in the early 1960s, where the natural light pouring in from the rooftop had a significant impact on his work.

About the Artist

Zao Wou-Ki rose to international prominence in the early 1960s, with exhibitions at the Kooz Gallery in New York, the Galerie de France in Paris, and the 1961 Tokyo Biennale. Major exhibitions of Zao's work continue to be held at prominent art institutions, including the critically acclaimed 2024 retrospective at the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, and this year at the M+ Museum in Hong Kong, "Zao Wou-Ki: A Master of Printmaking," showcasing the artist's career and printmaking.

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