Sotheby’s Hosts Modern and Contemporary Art Auction in Singapore During Art Week

Sotheby’s will stage its Modern and Contemporary Art auction in Singapore on 18 January 2025. Coinciding with Singapore Art Week (SAW), a city-wide celebration of art and culture, this event promises a feast for art enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Auction Highlights and Public Viewing

Ahead of the live auction, highlights will be on public display from 14 to 18 January at 5 Jiak Kim Street. A special treat awaits visitors—a seminal Vincent van Gogh masterpiece, on loan from an Important Private Asian Collection, will be unveiled for the first time in Southeast Asia.

The auction, titled “Landscapes: As Far as the Heart Can See,” explores diverse interpretations of landscapes across cultures, histories, and artistic movements. Reflecting Singapore’s cosmopolitan nature, the collection underscores the region’s growing collector base and Southeast Asia’s surging influence in the global art market.

A Showcase of Global and Regional Masterpieces

The auction will feature over 50 exceptional artworks by emerging and renowned artists from Southeast Asia, Greater Asia, Europe, and the U.S., including:

• Singaporean pioneers: Chen Wen Hsi, Cheong Soo Pieng, Kim Lim.
• Regional masters: Raden Saleh, S. Sudjojono, Le Pho, Vu Cao Dam, Christine Ay Tjoe, I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih.
• Japanese contemporary icons: Takashi Murakami, Kei Imazu, Ayako Rokkaku, and MR.
• Western artists debuting in Singapore: Lucas Arruda and Daisy Dodd-Noble.

Marc Chagall: La danse autour de la corbeille

Headlining the sale is a breathtaking piece by modernist Marc Chagall. Created in 1975 on the artist’s wedding anniversary, this painting is a radiant ode to love dedicated to his second wife and muse, Vava. The vibrant orange palette and whimsical composition epitomize Chagall’s late works, exuding joy and passion. This painting is one of only six featuring the corbeille (basket of fruits) motif ever presented at auction, making it a rare gem for collectors.

Raden Saleh: Javanese Landscapes

Two extraordinary paintings by Raden Saleh, a 19th-century Indonesian nationalist artist and Romanticist, will make their auction debut. Held privately for over a century, these works depict Java’s majestic landscapes, including Javanese Landscape: View of Merbabu and Merapi, showcasing Saleh’s unparalleled mastery in capturing nature’s grandeur. Fewer than 10 of his late Javanese landscapes have surfaced in auctions over the past 30 years, further elevating their significance.

S. Sudjojono: The Indestructible Desert

Sotheby’s will also present The Indestructible Desert by S. Sudjojono, the father of Indonesian modern art. Rich with nationalist symbolism, the apocalyptic landscape reflects resilience and strength, featuring iconic motifs such as the Kapok tree and red ball. Sudjojono’s work remains a testament to Indonesia’s social realities and its burgeoning modern art movement.

Southeast Asia’s Growing Art Market

Sotheby’s decision to stage this landmark auction during Singapore Art Week underscores its commitment to the Southeast Asian art scene. With a 22% rise in new bidders from the region in 2024 and Singapore consistently ranking among the top five bidding regions in Sotheby’s Asia sales, this auction is a testament to the region’s growing influence.

Mark your calendars for 18 January 2025, and be part of this landmark event that celebrates the timeless beauty and diversity of art.