Hong Kong, 12 March 2025 - Marking its 10th anniversary in Asia this year, Phillips will debut a dedicated Editions live auction in Hong Kong on 28 March, the first sale of its kind to be held in the city. Staged at the house's Asia headquarters in the West Kowloon Cultural District and timed to coincide with Hong Kong Art Week, the inaugural sale brings together works by iconic modern and contemporary artists, among them Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Damien Hirst, KAWS, Banksy, and Yoshitomo Nara. A public preview will be held at Phillips' West Kowloon galleries from 21 to 28 March, ahead of the auction at 2pm HKT on 28 March.
The launch reflects a deepening appetite among collectors in Asia for prints and multiples, a category in which Phillips has built a commanding position. Nick Wilson, Head of Editions, Photographs and Design, Asia, said, "Building on the increasing appetite among collectors in Asia for prints and multiples, we are excited to be the first auction house to launch a dedicated Editions live auction in Hong Kong." He pointed to the category's recent momentum, noting that Editions auction sell-through rates averaged over 90% across both 2023 and 2024, and described the debut as "an opportunity for our community to acquire editioned works that represent the forefront of modern and contemporary art."
The leading lots
Leading the inaugural sale is Damien Hirst's The Virtues (H. 9) (2021), a work inspired by Bushido, the Japanese Samurai code of ethics. Rich with art historical references that range from Van Gogh to Abstract Expressionism, the print captures the delicate beauty of Japanese cherry blossoms alongside the sincerity and discipline of its subject, and carries an estimate of HK$600,000 to HK$800,000 (US$76,900 to US$103,000). Among the other highlights is Pablo Picasso's Portrait de Jacqueline au Fauteuil (1958), a rare work presented this spring to coincide with the artist's major exhibition at M+. Depicting Jacqueline Roque, Picasso's second wife and muse, in exaggerated features and multiple perspectives, it is estimated at HK$300,000 to HK$400,000 (US$38,500 to US$51,300).
Highlights across a century
Yoshitomo Nara's Tell Me (2014), which depicts the iconic Nara girl with almond shaped eyes and a mischievous smile, carries an estimate of HK$220,000 to HK$320,000 (US$28,300 to US$41,200). The sale also features a rare set of three works by Yayoi Kusama, Pumpkin (YT); Pumpkin (GT) and Pumpkin (RT) (1996), showcasing the artist's most recognizable motifs of pumpkin and infinity nets, estimated at HK$550,000 to HK$650,000 (US$70,500 to US$83,300). Further highlights include Banksy's Pulp Fiction (2004), depicting an iconic scene from the 1994 film of the same name and originally stenciled in London's Old Street tube station, with an estimate of HK$150,000 to HK$200,000 (US$19,200 to US$25,600).
Another standout work is David Hockney's My Window: No. 778, 17th April 2011 (2011/2019), offering a captivating glimpse outside the window of the artist's Yorkshire home on a specific day, estimated at HK$120,000 to HK$180,000 (US$15,400 to US$23,100). Grapes (1979) by Andy Warhol, a rare trial proof that exemplifies his signature Pop Art style, carries the same estimate of HK$120,000 to HK$180,000 (US$15,400 to US$23,100). Notable modern works include Salvador Dali's renowned Profile of Time (1977/1984), a striking homage to the artist's iconic 1931 painting The Persistence of Memory, which introduced the world to his melting clocks, estimated at HK$95,000 to HK$140,000 (US$12,200 to US$18,000). Zao Wou-Ki's Untitled (1976), which exemplifies the artist's mastery of color and form, is offered at HK$35,000 to HK$45,000 (US$4,500 to US$5,800), presented ahead of a special exhibition of Zao's printmaking practice at M+ opening in December this year.
Key lots and estimates
The Editions debut forms part of a wider program of auctions, previews, and selling exhibitions that Phillips is presenting in Hong Kong this March, as the house marks a decade in Asia. The auction will take place at the Phillips Asia Headquarters, WKCDA Tower, West Kowloon Cultural District, No. 8 Austin Road West, Kowloon, with viewing from 21 to 28 March, 11:00 to 19:00.
(Press Release)
