Hong Kong - On 25 May at Bonhams' Modern and Contemporary Art sale in Hong Kong, an unseen and exceptionally rare abstract work, Infinity, by the renowned artist Yayoi Kusama, achieved an impressive HK$46,434,000.

Marcello Kwan, Head of Modern and Contemporary Art, Asia, commented on the sale: "We are privileged to have been entrusted with this exceptional abstract work by Kusama. Its unprecedented, mesmerising composition makes it a true rarity even within the artist's revolutionary oeuvre. Today's result attests to collectors' strong appetite for works of unparalleled quality. This also reaffirms Bonhams' continued ability to source and showcase the finest artworks for passionate collectors worldwide."

ABOUT THE WORK, INFINITY

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 two 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.

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.