KUALA LUMPUR: A rare masterpiece by pioneering Singaporean artist Liu Kang is centrestage at the Henry Butcher Art Auctioneer’s ‘Malaysian and Southeast Asian Works of Art’ auction preview at Galeri Prima, Balai Berita Bangsar, which began today.
Estimated to be valued at between RM1.05 million and RM1.09 million, the artwork, which features nine beautiful women at bath time, is expected to fetch the highest price on auction day on Oct 28, said Henry Butcher Art Auctioneer director Sim Polenn.
“Liu Kang’s 1955 oil painting on canvas, featuring exquisite brushstrokes and contours of the human form, is from his important Bali Trip in 1953, when he visited the exotic Indonesian getaway with three artist friends and became enamoured with the landscape, culture and society of Bali,” said Sim.
The painting is one of 190 lots of outstanding works by eminent artists from Southeast Asia.
Other auction highlights include 15 works from iconoclastic Malaysian artist Khalil Ibrahim (1934-2008) which cover four decades of his works in different media, subjects and styles.
In addition to Khalil, other Malaysian artists in the auction spotlight include Datuk Syed Ahmad Jamal, Abdul Latiff Mohidin, Datuk Ibrahim Hussein and Dzulkifli Buyong.
Works include abstract masterpieces by Awang Damit Ahmad from his Essence for Culture Series (1993) and a contemplative work from the Marista Series, dated 1996.
Contemporary art is represented by the creations of Ahmad Fuad, whose works such as Waris (1997) reflect the major concern of our times, including climate change.
Meanwhile, Indonesian artist Agus Suwage’s Self Portrait and CO#4 express his vision of history and the social issues which face his country.
Myanmar’s U Lun Gwye is featured for the first time in a Henry Butcher art auction through his untitled work (2007). A third-generation artist known for his impressionist style, U Lun’s painting depicting a bustling market scene in his home country has an estimated value of between RM6,000 and RM10,000.
These works and many more can be previewed from 10am to 6pm daily at Galeri Prima, Balai Berita Bangsar, 31 Jalan Riong, until Oct 27.
The auction will take place at 1pm on Sunday, Oct 28.