Press Release

Christie’s Proudly AnnouncesA Major Basquiat from 1982 Featured in Guggenheim Bilbao Retrospective

ARTWORK FROM THE SAME SERIES AS THE RECORD-BREAKING WARRIOR

Hong Kong – Christie’s 20th/21st Century Art Department is proud to unveil an important masterpiece by Jean-Michel Basquiat: Untitled (One Eyed Man or Xerox Face), following the successful sale of Basquiat’s Warrior on 23 March, which set a new record for the most expensive Western artwork ever sold at auction in Asia. The painting will be offered in the 20th/21st Century Art Evening Sale on May 24 in Hong Kong, where it will be featured as one of the major highlights of the spring auction season. Building upon the phenomenal results achieved last December in Hong Kong, which witnessed strong buying and bidding from Asian clients, Christie’s continues to present exceptional  works of art by Western artists in Hong Kong.

Untitled (One Eyed Man or Xerox Face) was exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, as part of a major exhibition of Basquiat’s works presented in 2015. It was painted in 1982, a year that is widely regarded as one of the most important in Basquiat’s career. It was that year when the young artist began to achieve commercial success and widespread recognition, and when he produced his most energetic, original works. Untitled is from a series of 72 by 48 inch works executed on panel between 1981 to 1982, a series that also includes Warrior. Painted using creative art materials, these works are highly sought after by collectors, and are extremely important in the context of Basquiat’s early career.

Jacky Ho, Vice President, Head of Evening Sale, 20th/21st Century Art, Asia Pacific, stated, “It is truly an honour to be entrusted with yet another spectacular painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat, one of the most significant artists of the Post-War period. To be able to present this painting in the same season as Warrior testifies to the outpouring of interest and appetite in Asia for top quality artworks by important Western artists.”

Basquiat’s Untitled (One Eyed Man or Xerox Face)

 - Exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao – This work was shown in 2015 as part of the retrospective exhibition Jean-Michel Basquiat: Now’s the Time.
 

 - Painted in 1982, the most sought-after year of execution throughout Basquiat’s career. Six out of the top ten records for Basquiat’s works achieved at auction were painted in 1982. The year was extremely important to the artist, both in terms of the career milestones achieved, and the quality of the works he created.
 

 - Part of an important series of works painted on panel – Untitled is part of an identically-sized series of 11 works on panels that Basquiat executed in his prime year between 1981-82, widely considered to be some of his best paintings. Other works from the series include Warrior, La Hara and Irony of Negro Policeman.

 - Strong composition with rich use of mixed media – Depicting a vibrant red body amidst contrasting blue, yellow, black and white, Untitled’s composition is exceptionally strong. Basquiat also demonstrate his highly versatile usage of medium by incorporating acrylic, spray paint and oil stick in addition to collage, creating a textured surface that shows off the profound influence of street art on his work.
 

 - Rare depiction of full-length red figure with iconic crown symbol – Basquiat was known for these almost life-size figures, and this one is shown with arms raised, a halo surrounding his head. On the lower right we can also see a crown, a symbol that would later become a trademark of the artist’s.
 

Notes To Editors

Public Preview (by appointment - [email protected]):

Shanghai | 12 – 13 April | Ampire Building, No. 97 Yuanmingyuan Road

Beijing | 16 – 17 April |  No. 82 Jinbao Street, Dong Cheng District

Taipei | 1 – 2 May | Taipei Marriott Hotel, No. 199, Lequn 2nd Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei

New York | 5 – 11 May | 20 Rockefeller Plaza, NY 10020

Hong Kong | 21 – 24 May | Convention Hall, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, No.1 Harbour Road, Wanchai

Auction:

Hong Kong | 24 May | Convention Hall, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, No.1 Harbour Road, Wanchai

The Most Valuable Western Artwork Ever Sold at Auction in Asia

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Warrior, price realised HK$323,600,000

23 March 2021

Other notable world auction records for Western artists achieved at Christie’s Asia in recent years (at the time of auction):

George Condo, Force Field, price realised HK$53,150,000

Dana Schutz, Elevator, price realised HK$50,050,000

Georges Mathieu, Souvenir de la maison d’Autriche, price realised HK$17,290,000

Eddie Martinez, High Flying Bird, HK$15,725,000

Nicolas Party, Still Life, HK$10,450,000

Amoako Boafo, Baba Diop, price realised HK$8,890,000

Mary Corse, Untitled (White/Black Inner Band Beveled), price realised HK$5,000,000

Shara Hughes, High Waters, price realised HK$4,125,000

Joyce Pensato, Sunset Batman, price realised HK$2,250,000

Javier Calleja, Waiting for a while, price realised HK$8,890,000