Jing Zhiyong, Sea Breeze ,2023
Estimate: HK$ 50,000 - 80,000/ US$ 6,400 - 10,300
Water emerges as a lightbearer in the vast expanse of artistic exploration, weaving stories of change and constancy with its mercurial strokes. From the caress of waves to the abstract portals of escape and digital cascades, each piece unfolds a chapter that bridges the ephemeral with the eternal in a tapestry of liquid wonder.
teamLab, Universe of Water Particles – Gold, 2016
Estimate: HK$1,300,000 - 2,300,000/ US$ 167,000 - 295,000
New Now, 29 March
Universe of Water Particles – Gold, crafted by the innovative collective teamLab, stands as a pinnacle of digital artistry, marrying the realms of art, technology, and the natural world. At its heart lies a captivating virtual waterfall, depicted in a lush three-dimensional space. The waterfall, composed of countless algorithmically generated droplets, flows with a precision that honours the laws of physics, each droplet shimmering in golden hues reminiscent of the Edo period. This choice of colour, coupled with the simplicity of the lines used to portray the dynamic motion of water, not only captures the essence of fluidity but also pays tribute to the rich cultural and philosophical lineage of Eastern philosophies, drawing from the depths of Zen Buddhist and Shintoist traditions.
“To explore art through digital media…to create a place where people could collaborate and explore across the different fields of science and technology and art.” — Toshiyuki Inoko
Beyond its visual allure, Universe of Water Particles – Gold is a masterclass in technological adaptability. This innovative 5-channel piece, adaptable in scale, can be exhibited on LCD screens at a minimum height of 3.5 meters or magnified to 15 meters using projectors. Engineered to evolve with technological advancements, teamLab offers a unique warranty to update the software, ensuring the artwork remains compatible with future operating systems.
Impactful, ground-breaking and aesthetically powerful, the collective’s works have been heralded as the vanguard of post-internet art. Works are in the permanent collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney; Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide; Asian Art Museum, San Francisco; Asia Society Museum, New York; Borusan Contemporary Art Collection, Istanbul; National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne; and Amos Rex, Helsinki, among others.
Alex Israel, Wave, 2020
Estimate: HK$ 300,000 - 400,000/ US$ 38,500 - 51,300
New Now, 29 March
Born in 1982 in Los Angeles, Alex Israel makes art that often reflects the city's landscape, celebrity culture, and cinematic world.
Wave stands as a modern tribute to the quintessential Californian lifestyle, seamlessly marrying the beauty of the natural world with the vibrant energy of L.A. The artwork is characterized by its gentle pastel gradients and minimalist elegance, orchestrating a subtle interplay of light and texture. Israel goes beyond mere aesthetics, creating a profound connection between the viewer and the expansive, peaceful stretches of the California coastline.
This piece positions itself as a tranquil response to the dynamic and formidable depiction of the natural world as seen in Hokusai's The Great Wave off Kanagawa. While Hokusai captures the formidable power of nature with his iconic woodblock print, featuring frothy, claw-like waves ready to engulf the boats beneath Mount Fuji, Israel's Wave offers a modern, stylized iteration — his “waves” rendered in pastel gradients evoke a sense of calm.
Gongkan, Through the Eyes, 2022
Estimate: HK$ 160,000 - 260,000/ US$ 20,500 - 33,300
New Now, 29 March
Gongkan's Through the Eyes presents a vivid exploration of alienation and the universal desire for connection.
Set against a dark backdrop, the ovals symbolise portals to freedom, depicting escapes from societal constraints. The figures in the artwork, reaching out towards each other across these portal-like spaces, evoke the image of individuals separated by vast, watery expanses, yet striving to connect. The fluidity of water mirrors the fluid nature of human relationships and emotions. Through the Eyes delves into the contrast between isolation and hope, with figures reaching out towards each other, embodying a longing that is both personal and universally relatable.
A graduate of Kasetsart University Laboratory School and Silpakorn University, the Thai artist drew profound inspiration from the vibrant cityscapes he grew up in and their rich cultural diversity.
Jenna Gribbon, Turtle Pond, 2010
Estimate: HK$ 400,000 - 600,000/ US$ 51,300 - 76,900
New Now, 29 March
Jenna Gribbon's Turtle Pond is a tender portrayal of a shared moment within the tranquility of a pond, deeply exploring the nuances of observation. The reflective nature of the pond adds a significant layer of depth to the artwork, mirroring the introspective essence of the piece. This reflection emphasises the intimacy shared between the two figures, creating a metaphorical mirror that not only duplicates their image but also doubles the intimacy.
Born in 1978, Gribbon’s passion for Impressionism was sparked during a school trip, a revelation that set her on a path to capture the ephemeral nature of moments. Employing a masterful Impressionist technique inTurtle Pond, she imbues the subjects with a quiet sense of autonomy. Absorbed in their own world, the figures are depicted as being entirely engrossed in their shared experience, oblivious to the viewer's gaze. This method of portrayal achieves a fusion that goes beyond mere representation, signifying a profound unity with the surrounding environment. This connection not only recalls the romanticized landscape art of 18th-century Europe but also engages in a subtle critique of the traditionally eroticized gaze that has dominated much of art history.
Guy Yanai, Rayol Without Me, 2020
Estimate: HK$ 150,000 - 250,000/ US$ 19,200 - 32,100
New Now, 29 March
Guy Yanai's Rayol Without Me transports viewers to the serene and idyllic coastal landscape of Rayol-Canadel-sur-Mer in Southern France. Through his signature style of smooth yet fragmented strokes and a vibrant palette, Yanai captures a moment of blissful tranquility. Featuring a pair of sliding doors that glide open to an expansive balcony vista, the geometric abstraction and pixelated texture merge to form a harmonious vista that speaks joie de vivre, embodying the essence of water as a source of inspiration and reflection.
Upon close inspection, observers are drawn to fixate their gaze on the pixelated segments of the composition. When viewed from afar, these fragments adjoin harmoniously to conjure a visual snapshot that is bordered by lush foliage, encompassing a striking seascape where the azure sky meets the glistening ripples of the water.
Yanai's art has graced prominent solo and group worldwide exhibitions, from Berlin to New York, with his most recent participation in "The Body Electric" at Larsen Warner. His works are celebrated in collections worldwide, such as the Haifa and Tel Aviv Museums of Art, and private collections including those of the Rema Hort Mann Foundation in New York and the Anita Zabludowicz Collection in London.
Kitti Narod, Diversity in the Pool, 2019
Estimate: HK$ 80,000 - 120,000/ US$ 10,300 - 15,400
New Now, 29 March
Diversity in the Pool is a compelling articulation of Kitti Narod’s artistic philosophy, where he imagines a world of harmonious coexistence, free from barriers and hatred.This painting, like many of his works, places individuals in a neutral space symbolizing equality and shared humanity. The composition within the pool scenes, where individuals intermingle without conflict, mirrors the flow and interconnectedness of an Abstract Expressionist piece, emphasizing unity in diversity.
The Thai artist’s ability to translate this vision into art has not only garnered acclaim but also tangible success, with two similar paintings by him sold well over their asking price in 2023 — one for $609,600 against an estimate of $250,000 - 350,000.
Jing Zhiyong, Sea Breeze,2023
Estimate: HK$ 50,000 - 80,000/ US$ 6,400 - 10,300
New Now, 29 March
Sea Breeze features a vast, tranquil landscape — a serene sea meets an expansive sky, crafting an unnaturally peaceful ambiance. Yet, this tranquility is intriguingly juxtaposed with insidious elements: a white wall marred by red, blood-like stains and a dark, enigmatic entrance. A solitary figure fishing adds layers of unease and mystery, inviting viewers to ponder the deeper narratives interwoven into the serene yet unsettling scene.
A distinguished artist based in Beijing, Jing delicately balances his work between dreams, hope, and an enigmatic world that he paints with a smooth, dreamlike quality. He has painted what he calls “Dreams, hopes and absurd world”, subtly evoking the surrealism of Magritte and the metaphysical landscapes of De Chirico.
With a significant online presence, amassing over 156,000 followers on Instagram and having released an artbook last year, Jing continues to captivate a global audience with his profound narratives.
Jess Valice, The Fisherman, 2022
Estimate: HK$ 180,000 - 280,000/ US$ 23,100 - 35,900
New Now, 29 March
The Fisherman by Jess Valice, an artist with a background in biopsychology from Los Angeles, masterfully captures the complex relationship between the mind and its physical expression. Valice's art, characterised by isolated figures with exaggerated features and penetrating gazes, reflects a deep fascination with human psychology and solitude. In this painting, the titular fisherman, with his oversized facial features and introspective stare, embodies a poignant sense of detachment from his dreary surroundings.
Valice's distinctive style has led to solo exhibitions in prestigious galleries worldwide, including Carl Kostyál in Shanghai and Stems Gallery in Paris. The Fisherman, showcased at PlanX Gallery in Milan before its acquisition, is a compelling example of Valice's ability to blend physical distortion with emotional depth, engaging viewers in a silent dialogue about introspection and loneliness.
New Now
29 March
2pm HKT