Phillips Presents an Exhibition in Tokyo This July Featuring Auction Highlights from an Important Japanese Collection of Photographs Alongside Selected Timepieces from a Thematic Auction Dedicated to the Japanese Watch Collecting World
Showing at Phillips Tokyo in the Piramide Building in Roppongi from 2-16 July, Coinciding with Tokyo Gendai
Phillips is pleased to present an exhibition in its space in the Piramide Building in Tokyo’s Roppongi from 2-16 July, coinciding with the second edition of Tokyo Gendai. The exhibition features highlights from an important private Japanese collection of photographs that will be offered in an auction in London this November and next May, alongside selected timepieces from a thematic auction dedicated to the Japanese watch collecting world that will be held in Hong Kong in the end of November. Highlights from the photographs collection will be showcased until 16 July while timepieces from the thematic sale will be displayed until 5 July before they embark on a tour in Japan.
Spanning five decades, the photographs from an important private Japanese collection highlight the most celebrated artists of the 20th century, including Richard Avedon, Robert Mapplethorpe, Helmut Newton, Irving Penn and Andy Warhol. Amassed over 20 years alongside an illustrious career within the fashion industry, this offering presents collectors an exciting opportunity to acquire iconic photographs with a focus on era-defining moments in fashion and popular culture. This world-class collection is a testament to the strength and depth of Japan’s long-standing photography market and its devotion to this powerful medium at the highest level.
Among the highlights are visually arresting portraits, including Richard Avedon’s 1957 photograph of Marilyn Monroe, a tour-de-force that captures a rare glimpse of the star’s unseen, vulnerable side in all her mesmerising essence. Other highlights include Irving Penn’s Picasso (B), Cannes, which isolates the Spanish-born artist’s left eye to captivating effect, paying homage to the bold Cubist style that he pioneered; and Andy Warhol’s unique Polaroid print of Debbie Harry, a close-up study in search of the perfect pose that would be immortalised in one of his silkscreens. These indelible portraits offer a timeless record of some of the most famous faces of the 20th century, celebrating the legacies of both the sitter and the artist.
Titled TOKI（刻） (a noun meaning 'time' in Japanese), the thematic auction dedicated to the Japanese watch collecting world will feature important watches by leading global brands made exclusively for the Japanese market, timepieces previously owned by savvy Japanese collectors, as well as unique pieces created by Japanese independent watchmakers, such as Naoya Hida and Hajime Asaoka, for this auction. More than an auction, it represents a tribute to one of most historically important watch markets.
Building a strong presence across Asia has been a leading priority for Phillips ever since the company held its first auction in Asia nine years ago. Phillips opened its office in Tokyo in 2016 and launched the current exhibition space in 2019 in Roppongi, an art and design hub in the city that is home to upscale museums and galleries. Earlier this year, Takako Nagasawa assumed a new role as Strategy Advisor, Japan, driving business development efforts in the market, while also continuing her specialist role within the company’s Modern & Contemporary Art department.
Exhibition Info
Photographs – Property from an Important Private Japanese Collection: 2-16 July (Monday – Friday 11:00-18:00)
Highlights from TOKI（刻）, a thematic auction dedicated to the Japanese watch collecting world: 2-5 July 11:00-18:00
Location: Phillips Tokyo, 4F Piramide Building 6-6-9 Roppongi, Minato-ku Tokyo 106-0032
PRESS CONTACTS:
HONG KONG – Ingrid Hsu, Head of PR & Corporate Communications, Asia Ingridhsu@phillips.com
TOKYO OFFICE - InfoJapan@phillips.com