HONG KONG (Taiwan News) — As Hong Kong Art Month reached its peak, Sotheby’s Maison at Chater House concluded its landmark exhibition, "Beyond the Abstract," the most comprehensive survey of abstract art ever staged in Hong Kong.
The spring marquee season, which spanned 3,000 years of artistic history, achieved a total of NT$2.95 billion (US$700 million), a 60% increase over the previous season.
The exhibition was hosted at Sotheby’s flagship Maison, designed by the renowned Rotterdam-based architecture firm MVRDV. Inspired by Taoist metaphysics and Zen philosophy, the space functions as a time portal in the heart of the city.
Visitors descend from the bustling streets of Central into cavernous, contemplative galleries characterized by a bespoke scent and a minimalist aesthetic. Nicolas Chow, chair of Sotheby’s Asia, said the space is designed to allow the mind to wander between ancient objets troves and modern masterpieces, positioning abstraction as a reflection on the ephemeral experience of life.
The auction was led by American Abstract Expressionist Joan Mitchell’s 1983 masterpiece, “La Grande Vallee VII.” The diptych fetched more than NT$569 million, setting a new record for the most expensive work by a female artist ever sold at auction in Asia.
Another standout was Mark Rothko’s “No. 10.” Executed in 1949 during a pivotal transition in the artist's career, the work sold for nearly double its high estimate. The sale set a new benchmark for Rothko’s "Multiforms" series, which rarely appears on the market.
The exhibition also highlighted the enduring appeal of Asian modern masters. A newly discovered painting by Sanyu (常玉), “Beijing Circus,” drew significant attention for its rarity and provenance. Meanwhile, works by Zao Wou-Ki (趙無極), including “Nuage” and “Terre rouge – 16.01.2005,” achieved a 100% sell-through rate, reaffirming strong demand for blue-chip Asian modernism.
In the Maison’s most intimate space, "Sanctum," the exhibition juxtaposed Cy Twombly’s scribbled abstractions with a 3,000-year-old Egyptian votive cubit rod. This curated dialogue between ancient scripts and contemporary forms showcased abstraction as a universal, timeless human expression.
The season saw a significant surge in participation from younger buyers. Notably, the underbidder for the record-breaking Joan Mitchell was a collector in their 20s. A Korean Joseon dynasty white-glazed jar was also acquired by a collector in their 30s.
During the two-week exhibition, Sotheby’s Maison welcomed 44,500 visitors, a 30% increase from the previous year (2025). Since its opening in 2024, the flagship space has surpassed 1 million visitors, elevating the art experience in the heart of Hong Kong.
