• Combines Kusama's two signature motifs – 'dots' and 'infinity nets' –
in one single canvas, the only example ever to appear at auction

• One-of-a-kind composition in two vertical halves
never before seen at auction

Hong Kong – An unseen and exceptionally rare abstract work, Infinity, 1995 (estimate upon request), by Yayoi Kusama, one of the most celebrated contemporary artists, will lead Bonhams Modern and Contemporary Art sale in Hong Kong on 25 May 2024.

One-of-a-Kind Composition – Never Before Seen at Auction

Kusama is widely recognised for her extensive application of polka dots and infinity nets. Rarely seen in her works in the past 50 years, Infinity combines both signature motifs on a single canvas, gracefully traversing a vertically meandering curve border at the centre of the composition. Standing at an impressive height of 2 metres, this large-scale painting is strikingly divided into two halves, each adorned with repeating dots and nets. This exceedingly rare composition has never before appeared at auction. The work predominantly employs repeating red patterns over a black background -- Kusama's favourite colour combination for her 'Infinity Net' series during her New York period.

An Expression of Life

Immersive and compelling, this artwork skillfully combines Kusama's renowned obsessional, repetitive, and mesmerising qualities. The endlessly looping and repeating whorls serve as a key motif reused throughout her career, reflecting both her personal history and inner state. Growing up in an affluent family, Kusama was exposed to profound visual and auditory hallucinations during her childhood. These experiences have had a lasting impact on her artistic practice, driving her unwavering exploration of themes such as infinity and obliteration.

ADDITIONAL SALE HIGHLIGHTS:
Japanese and Korean Abstracts

Other highlights of the sale include an exceptional showcase of Korean abstract works by renowned masters Lee Ufan and Park Seobo, prominent figures of the Dansaekhwa Movement in Korea. Often referred to as the "Monochrome Painting Movement," Dansaekhwa emerged as a significant artistic force in the 1970s, capturing the essence of Korean minimalism and abstraction.

Lee Ufan is a Korean artist of long-standing prominence in the global art scene. A philosophy graduate, Lee's works gracefully capture traditional beliefs and aesthetics of the East. A rare work, entitled Dialogue and created at the prime of Lee's artistic career, comes to the market with an estimate of HK$3,000,000 – 4,000,000. Dialogue features a bright patch of ombré orange acrylic on a large blank space, revealing an intense yet careful layering of colours and brushstrokes.

Another Korean abstract art master, Park Seobo, is known for his East-meets-West approach. His Écriture No. 151005 will make its auction debut at Bonhams this May, carrying an estimate of HK$1,800,000 – 2,800,000. The work forms part of his "Écriture" series, begun in the late 1960s, celebrated for his experimentation with the use of oil, a western medium, and Hanji, traditional Korean paper. The interplay and tension between the two materials creates a distinctive form of minimalist abstraction and narrates the artist's national and personal history.

Other highlights from the sale include:

- Liu Ye, Uncle Lei Feng, 2003, acrylic on canvas. Estimate: HK$4,000,000 – 6,000,000
- Zeng Fanzhi, Class One Series No.6, 1996, oil on canvas. Estimate: HK$1,200,000 – 2,000,000
- Chiharu Shiota, State of Being, 2019, metal frame, thread. Estimate: HK$450,000 – 650,000