Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
"Sometimes, you are painting, and your mind, your emotions, are all in the painting. This is the moment when you can find something new. It’s an emotional moment."
— Javier CallejaSummoning feelings of warmth and love, the mother and child image has recurringly been explored throughout the history of art as a symbolic motif of empowerment and maternal protection. Instantly recognisable as an exceptional work by Spanish artist Javier Calleja, You Me is a compelling interpretation of this universal theme. First unveiled in London at the Dorothy Circus Gallery during their 2019 exhibition titled Mother & Child, the endearing canvas depicts two wide-eyed, macrocephalic characters reaching out towards each other’s embrace.
The present work exhibited at London, Dorothy Circus Gallery, Mother & Child, 13 April – 9 June 2019Whilst the mother looks onwards, however, the boy’s eyes are cast aside, as if wondering of the adventurous possibilities beyond the cocoon of this maternal embrace. Inscribed across the taller figure’s top is the word ‘You’ and the small subject’s baby blue shirt the word ‘Me, providing a direct link to the work’s title and a hint at the child being a self-portrait of Calleja himself.
The Importance of the Mother and Child Motif
Amy Sherald, Mother and Child, 2016
© Amy Sherald
Duccio di Buoninsegna, Madonna and Child, circa 1300
Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Gustav Klimt, Three Ages of Woman (Detail), 1905
Collection of Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna, Rome
Léonard-Tsuguharu Foujita, Mother and Two Children, 1917
Collection of Harvard Art Museum, Massachusetts
© Foujita Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York 2021
Amadeo Modigliani, Seated Woman with Child (Motherhood), 1919
Collection of Lille Métropole Museum of Modern, Contemporary and Outsider Art
Pablo Picasso, Mother and Child, 1921
Collection of the Art Institute of Chicago
© 2021 Estate of Pablo Picasso/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Alice Neel, Mother and Child (Nancy and Olivia), 1967
© Alice Neel-
Amy Sherald, Mother and Child, 2016
© Amy Sherald -
Duccio di Buoninsegna, Madonna and Child, circa 1300
Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
Mastering the Balance
Lending to the universal appeal of kawaii, both characters don a nose and mouth so minutely sized to be barely functional. Starkly contrasting this, however, are their gleaming emerald green eyes which are so large and detailed in their articulation, they immediately stand out against the sandy wash behind. When questioned on his process behind mastering this balance, Calleja has explained, ‘I can paint very realistically, but also, I don't want to see myself doing realistic paintings in the future. Because maybe that is not painting anymore, something like a photograph, a representation. For example, Mark Rothko. His work is also in my paintings. Very flat paintings, not many elements. So I want to keep this moment that one part of the painting is well-rendered or finished, and other is very expressive or casual.’ i
Mark Rothko, Untitled, 1954
Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
© 1998 Kate Rothko Prizel & Christopher Rothko / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New YorkFamously coined as ‘windows to the soul’, eyes are a point of emotive access carrying the weight of genuine human experience. And yet, in You Me the eyes bulge from an otherwise cartoonish presentation that only works to add an uncanny sense of playful irony to the overall scene. Communicating on two registers, it is exactly within this tension between the real and fantastical that Calleja creates a moment of magic.
“I think there is something really important in their eyes, and it’s with only two drops, white colour, and the shadows. So you get the sensation of real.”
— Javier CallejaCalleja’s works appear to situate themselves as a rebuttal against the rise of the anti-cute in popular culture, recognisable in the form of horror movies like Chucky where children and dolls become hosts of tormented spirits, or cartoons such as The Simpsons which reveal the dysfunction of the nuclear household. Basing his adorably mischievous characters off himself, Calleja instead spreads pleasantry and delight, traits that are especially valuable amidst our time of increasing chaos and uncertainty.
Adamantly rejecting the expectation to over-conceptualise and theorise his work, Calleja explains quite simply, ‘every character is like my son. At the end of my life, I might have thousands of children’.ii The viewer is reminded of one of the most basic drives behind the creation of art – posterity. As such, in their simplicity Calleja allows for the viewer to project their own interpretations onto his work, encouraging viewers to seek identification and solace within his protagonists’ pooling gazes.
An Optimistic Universe
One of the first galleries to represent Calleja was Galerie Zink, whom were also amongst the first to represent renowned Japanese artist Yoshitomo Nara. In fact, with notable shared similarities in both concept and aesthetic, the work of Calleja often draws comparisons to that of his contemporary. However, whereas both artists explore the motif of childhood, Calleja distinguishes his work with a defiant sense of optimism.
Nara paints his child protagonists as solitary within his visual world. Both tender and violent, and adorable and perverse – in their sneering, half-lidded eyes one encounters a curious depth of cynical emotion that juxtaposes their naive wonder. In contrast, Calleja appears to reverse this archetype of the complex child in his celebrated oeuvre, instead returning the infant to a place of greater comfort and familiarity. Planted in indeterminate spaces that are flat in bright colour, Calleja’s children are yet to be totally defiled by adult preoccupations. As exemplified by the present work, they still teeter on the edge of adolescence, evoking a playful humour and sense of optimism that resonates on a universal level.
Javier Calleja in his studio“I think that my style is more connected with my real beginnings, my childhood, and the drawings I was making then. This is why it always felt that this style actually found me and I didn’t find it, and I’m still waiting for it to change.”
— Javier CallejaCollector’s Digest
Testament to his position as a major figure within the world of contemporary art, Calleja has presented exhibitons in a wide number of institutions worldwide. Notable solo exhibitons of Calleja include at Almine Rech in Shanghai (21 May – 26 June 2021); Rafael Pérez Hernando Arte Contemporáneo in Madrid (25 February – 24 April 2021); Bill Brady in Miami (2020); AISHONANZUKA in Hong Kong (2019, 2017); Dio Horia in Athens (2019); and Galerie Zink in the German city of Waldkirchen (2019, 2018).
Works by Calleja now form part of influential public collections including the Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Burgos, Marset Collection, and Unicaja Collection, amongst others.
i Javier Calleja, quoted on Sasha Bogojev, Javier Calleja: Finding That Magic Moment, Juxtapoz, 2019, online
ii Javier Calleja, quoted on Avantarte, online
Provenance
Dorothy Circus Gallery, Rome
Private Collection, Hong Kong
Private Collection, Asia
Acquired from the above by the present ownerExhibited
London, Dorothy Circus Gallery, Mother & Child, 13 April – 9 June 2019
Artist Biography
Javier Calleja
Javier Calleja (b. 1971) is a contemporary Spanish artist living and working in
Malaga, Spain. Calleja is most known for his figurative style of cartoonish, doe-eyed
characters with exaggerated features. His style is influenced by the toys and comics
from his 70s and 80s upbringing. Calleja’s characters are often accompanied by text
that contrasts the innocent and adolescent looking facial expressions of the
characters represented in the compositions. Calleja works in painting, sculpture,
and works on paper.Calleja holds a BFA from Granada University in Spain. His works have been exhibited worldwide and he is currently represented by Almine Rech.
Property of a Prominent Collector
8
You Me
signed and dated '2019 Javier Calleja' on the underside; further titled '"YOU ME"' on the overlap
acrylic on canvas
110 x 116.5 cm. (43 1/4 x 45 7/8 in.)
Painted in 2019.
Estimate
HK$3,000,000 - 4,000,000
€340,000-453,000
$385,000-513,000
Sold for HK$7,026,000
Charlotte Raybaud
Head of Evening Sale, 20th Century & Contemporary Art
+852 2318 2026
CharlotteRaybaud@phillips.com
20th Century & Contemporary Art Evening Sale in Association with Poly Auction
Hong Kong Auction 30 November 2021
1
Cinga Samson
Ivory V
Estimate HK$250,000 - 350,000
Sold for HK$2,520,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
2
Salman Toor
East Village Iqbal Bano
Estimate HK$1,800,000 - 2,800,000
Sold for HK$4,536,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
3
Nina Chanel Abney
Untitled (IXI Black)
Estimate HK$1,500,000 - 2,500,000
Sold for HK$3,024,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
4
Jamian Juliano-Villani
Clear Cough from Your Schedule
Estimate HK$200,000 - 400,000
Sold for HK$781,200
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
5
Mr.
Yume—Breath of the Earth
Estimate HK$1,000,000 - 2,000,000
Sold for HK$4,032,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
6
Julie Curtiss
Escargot
Estimate HK$400,000 - 600,000
Sold for HK$1,449,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
7
Javier Calleja
30 works: Untitled
Estimate HK$10,000,000 - 15,000,000
Sold for HK$12,108,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
8
Javier Calleja
You Me
Estimate HK$3,000,000 - 4,000,000
Sold for HK$7,026,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
9
Aya Takano
In the Lab (the Birth of Jelly)
Estimate HK$200,000 - 300,000
Sold for HK$441,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
10
Hernan Bas
Minimalism (cracking the code)
Estimate HK$1,000,000 - 1,500,000
Sold for HK$3,780,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
11
Joel Mesler
Untitled (Night Out)
Estimate HK$500,000 - 700,000
Sold for HK$1,512,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
12
Shara Hughes
Magic Island
Estimate HK$1,500,000 - 2,500,000
Sold for HK$4,788,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
13
Scott Kahn
Cadman Plaza
Estimate HK$1,000,000 - 1,500,000
Sold for HK$7,510,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
14
Matthew Wong
Nature’s Church
Estimate HK$4,000,000 - 6,000,000
Sold for HK$9,204,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
15
Matthew Wong
Far Away Eyes
Estimate HK$8,000,000 - 12,000,000
Sold for HK$21,183,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
16
Gerhard Richter
Kerzenschein (Candle-light)
Estimate HK$55,000,000 - 75,000,000
Sold for HK$101,970,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
17
This lot is no longer available.
18
Yayoi Kusama
INFINITY-NETS (OPRT)
Estimate HK$15,000,000 - 25,000,000
Sold for HK$22,635,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
19
Yayoi Kusama
Repetition
Estimate HK$15,000,000 - 20,000,000
Sold for HK$19,005,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
20
Nicolas Party
Still Life
Estimate HK$6,200,000 - 9,400,000
Sold for HK$17,190,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
21
David Hockney
Bridlington Violets
Estimate HK$10,000,000 - 15,000,000
Sold for HK$12,350,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
22
Léonard-Tsuguharu Foujita
Self-Portrait with a Cat
Estimate HK$4,000,000 - 6,000,000
Sold for HK$5,292,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
23
This lot is no longer available.
24
Sanyu
Paysage Aux Hirondelles
Estimate HK$26,000,000 - 46,000,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
25
Zao Wou-Ki
Sans titre ("Notre Dame")
Estimate HK$7,500,000 - 10,000,000
Sold for HK$10,051,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
26
Zao Wou-Ki
Brume d’automne
Estimate HK$4,500,000 - 7,500,000
Sold for HK$4,788,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
27
Auguste Rodin
Le Baiser, 1ère réduction dite aussi "réduction n°1"
Estimate HK$10,000,000 - 15,000,000
Sold for HK$11,745,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
28
Zao Wou-Ki
20.3.64.
Estimate HK$20,000,000 - 30,000,000
Sold for HK$22,030,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
29
This lot is no longer available.
30
Alexander Calder
Two Red Petals in the Air
Estimate HK$16,000,000 - 20,000,000
Sold for HK$20,820,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
31
Claude Monet
Pavots dans un vase de Chine
Estimate HK$9,500,000 - 15,000,000
Sold for HK$13,560,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
32
Georges Mathieu
Saxifrage
Estimate HK$2,000,000 - 3,000,000
Sold for HK$2,520,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
33
This lot is no longer available.
34
Huang Yuxing
Floating Bubbles
Estimate HK$1,800,000 - 2,800,000
Sold for HK$2,772,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
35
Zhou Chunya
Smell the Flowers
Estimate HK$5,000,000 - 7,000,000
Sold for HK$6,905,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
36
This lot is no longer available.
37
Liu Ye
Flagship No. 2
Estimate HK$2,000,000 - 3,000,000
Sold for HK$5,922,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
38
Wang Xingwei
Untitled (Heart-Shaped Dance)
Estimate HK$2,800,000 - 4,800,000
Sold for HK$3,780,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
39
Liu Ye
Untitled
Estimate HK$3,000,000 - 5,000,000
Sold for HK$3,780,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
40
Liu Wei
You Like Smoking?
Estimate HK$3,000,000 - 5,000,000
Sold for HK$3,780,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
41
Izumi Kato
Untitled
Estimate HK$4,500,000 - 7,500,000
Sold for HK$11,745,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
42
Yoshitomo Nara
Pandora's Box
Estimate HK$7,500,000 - 10,000,000
Sold for HK$13,560,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
43
George Condo
The Dreamer
Estimate HK$4,600,000 - 6,200,000
Sold for HK$11,140,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
44
George Condo
Entangled Figures
Estimate HK$6,200,000 - 9,200,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
45
This lot is no longer available.
46
KAWS
NEW YORK
Estimate HK$4,000,000 - 6,000,000
Sold for HK$5,040,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
47
KAWS
FINAL DAYS
Estimate HK$6,200,000 - 8,200,000
Sold for HK$8,115,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
48
Raymond Pettibon
Untitled (Force makes nature...)
Estimate HK$1,500,000 - 2,500,000
Sold for HK$3,906,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
49
Robert Nava
Angel Shark
Estimate HK$1,200,000 - 1,800,000
Sold for HK$4,410,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
50
Susumu Kamijo
Marching To The Sun
Estimate HK$450,000 - 650,000
Sold for HK$2,142,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
51
Jadé Fadojutimi
Fishing For Steps
Estimate HK$1,200,000 - 2,200,000
Sold for HK$4,788,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
52
Mickalene Thomas
Looking Up from the She Works Hard For the Money Pin-Up series
Estimate HK$1,000,000 - 2,000,000
Sold for HK$3,780,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
53
Billie Zangewa
Cirque d'hiver
Estimate HK$400,000 - 600,000
Sold for HK$567,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
54
Godwin Champs Namuyimba
The Connector
Estimate HK$200,000 - 400,000
Sold for HK$1,323,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
55
Tunji Adeniyi-Jones
Blue Ancestor
Estimate HK$400,000 - 600,000
Sold for HK$1,071,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
56
Tomoo Gokita
Final Confrontation
Estimate HK$1,200,000 - 2,200,000
Sold for HK$2,520,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
57
Ewa Juszkiewicz
Appropriation
Estimate HK$400,000 - 600,000
Sold for HK$1,890,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
58
Lucas Arruda
Untitled from the series Deserto-Modelo
Estimate HK$1,000,000 - 1,500,000
Sold for HK$3,780,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.