Hebru Brantley - Asteroid B-612 Online Auction: Inspired by a Saint-Exupéry Novel Hong Kong Tuesday, December 7, 2021 | Phillips
  • The idea of the herd of elephants made the little prince laugh: “We would have to put them one on top of the other...” he said. 

    — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

  • Catalogue Essay

    3 The Hard Way was launched in collaboration with Avant Arte in 2020. Reflecting Hebru Brantley's desire to underscore the importance of community, unity in our society and taking action, the current work depicts three heads wearing Kermit the Frong headwear, each with a slightly varied expression. As the artist explains himself:

     

    3 The Hard Way portrays the concept of standing together to fight a system of racism and violence against the Black community — because we are stronger together. I was thinking about building a community, building that totem, stacking one on top of another to reach somewhere closer to where we need to be... Ultimately, the works highlight themes of race and power, but also hope.”

    • Provenance

      avantarte.com
      Acquired from the above by the present owner

    • Artist Biography

      Hebru Brantley

      Hebru Brantley consistently explores complex ideas around nostalgia, the mental psyche, power, and hope. Majorly influenced by the South Side of Chicago's AfriCOBRA movement in the 1960s and 70s, and growing up during the 1990s graffiti scene, Brantley employs the history of mural and graffiti art as a frame to animate his own unique perception of dark fiction. Brantley's challenges the traditional view of the hero or protagonist - his character, Flyboy, was born from the notion of creating a set of characters within a canon that existed alongside Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny and Batman, through this concept of dark fiction.  Brantley’s work and characters frequently explore American culture through a fun, afro-futuristic intent, projecting what will and what can be rather than what is, whilst celebrating the concept of the black leader. Flyboy and his universe, including characters Lil Mama and Phibby are often seen looking upward in heroic stances; they summon the viewer to optimism and hope. 

       
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3 The Hard Way

inscribed with the edition number '02/50' on the underside
bronze
36 x 12.5 x 13.5 cm. (14 1/8 x 4 7/8 x 5 3/8 in.)
Produced by Avant Arte in 2020, this work is number 2 from an edition of 50, and is accompanied by its original box.

Full Cataloguing

Estimate
HK$110,000 - 200,000 
€12,500-22,700
$14,100-25,600

Sold for HK$138,600

Contact Specialist

Hin Hin Wong
Associate Specialist, 20th Century & Contemporary Art, Hong Kong
+852 2318 2013
hinhinwong@phillips.com

Asteroid B-612 Online Auction: Inspired by a Saint-Exupéry Novel

Online Auction 7-14 December 2021