Modern and Contemporary Art

Modern and Contemporary Art

The Times acclaimed Yayoi Kusama as an existing epic artist in the world, and Emperor Akihito of Japan awarded her with the Japanese cultural medal, which meant that Kusama had become a national treasure level artist of Japan. In ten years, the total auction price of Kusama’s works has increased from $940000 in 2004 to $35.45 million in 2014

Emperor Akihito awarded the Japanese cultural medal to Kusama in 2016

Yayoi Kusama
Pumpkin
59×50cm
Autograph: Yayoi Kusama
Created in 1999
Screen printing
Spring auction of 2020, Jointwells Hong Kong

Yayoi Kusama
Lemon Tea
84.8×68cm
Autograph: Yayoi Kusama 9/50
Created in 1988
Screen printing
Spring auction of 2020, Jointwells Hong Kong

Murakami (left) and Virgil abloh, leader of OFF-WHITE (right)

Takashi Murakami is one of the most important Japanese contemporary artists in post-war period. He studied traditional Japanese art at the Tokyo University of the Arts and became the first person to receive a doctorate in Japanese painting in its history.
All of Murakami’s works show the basic concept of “super flat”. His works finally present the style of commercial patterns and flat image like computer screens through his flawless, precise and meticulous handcraft. According to Murakami, the concept of “super flat” faithfully reflects the social reality at that time, as well as the general spiritual outlook of Japanese society after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. In addition, from historical perspective, Japan’s unique geographical structure has made the country face the threat of strong natural disasters for a long time, which is perplexing. For the Japanese, they not only have experienced personally the flattening in history, but also the metaphorical meaning of this concept is rooted in their national character. In particular, the power of Western politics and culture swept Japan after World War II, which has made the flattening of democratic system and culture well known but impossible to retrieve.

Takashi Murakami & Pharrel Williams
Created during 2008-2009
The Simple Things
Transaction price: HK$21,725,000
Auctioned at Christie’s Hong Kong, 23th November 2019

Takashi Murakami
When I Close My Eyes, I See Shangrila
Transaction price: HK$13,840,000
Auctioned at Christie’s Hong Kong, 28th November 2015

Takashi Murakami
Happy Kaikai & Kiki
Autography: Takashi Murakami 153/300
Print
68×68cm
Resource:Private collection in Asia
Spring auction of 2020, Jointwells Hong Kong

Takashi Murakami
An Homage to Monopink
Autography: Takashi Murakami 203/300
Print
74×53.5cm
Resource:Private collection in Asia
Spring auction of 2020, Jointwells Hong Kong

Takashi Murakami × ComplexCon
Created in 2016
DOB-Kun (2 pieces)
Resources:Kaikai & Kiki Studio, Japan
28×19×24cm
Spring auction of 2020, Jointwells Hong Kong

Ron English, who is known as the new Andy Warhol, is one of the most outstanding pop masters. Ron English is involved in a wide range of art fields, including record design, graffiti art, painting, fashion toy design, etc.
In Ron English’s works of art, we can always see familiar pictures or characters. Under his reinterpretation, these pictures and characters can always bring us brand new feelings. Typical works include McDonald’s uncle (who is called “Fat Mai” because of Ron English’s design), Marilyn Mickey (a combination of Marilyn Monroe and Mickey Mouse) and grin (Charlie Brown, a little boy in Snoopy cartoon, designed to be a horror version), etc. There is no doubt that he is the most talented and controversial contemporary artist. His works have always been famous for realism techniques and creative use of cartoon characters.

Ron English

Scene of Ron personally signing

Ron English
MC Supersized
Autography: English
Oil Painting
Resource:Purchased from Ron English
Spring auction of 2020, Jointwells Hong Kong


  •     © RON ENGLISH

Ron English
Cartoon Character Fantasy
Autography: English
Resource:Purchased from Ron English
Spring auction of 2020, Jointwells Hong Kong

Ron English
Serve the people(Left),
Pink Imperial Stormtrooper(Center),
MC Supersized(Right)
Autography: English (on the back)
Resource: Purchased from Ron English
Spring auction of 2020, Jointwells Hong Kong

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