Chinese Artist Crosses $10 Million Milestone
A major round of art auctions in Hong Kong reflected collectors’ returning confidence in Asian contemporary art, though shoppers balked at a few $10 million-plus price tags placed on lately trendy ceramic bowls and vases.
The sales last week also represented an emotional whipsaw for Chinese contemporary artists: On Sunday, Zhang Xiaogang became the world’s priciest living Chinese artist when one of his works sold for US$10.1 million, but his success was overshadowed by the arrest that same day of his peer Ai Weiwei.
Mr. Ai, a sculptor and human-rights activist best known for designing the “Bird’s Nest” stadium for the Beijing Olympics, was arrested for alleged financial crimes. His whereabouts are still unknown; activist group Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China plans to lead a protest march for Mr. Ai in Hong Kong this Sunday.
None of Mr. Ai’s playful sculptures were scheduled to play a part in the Sotheby’s auctions, which began Saturday and ended Friday. Sotheby’s overall sales, which included wine, totaled $447 million, above its $340 million expectations.