Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
Renowned for her unique, enchanting and whimsical paintings that blend popular culture with fantastical landscapes, Aya Takano is a supremely talented contemporary Japanese artist who was born in 1976 in Saitama, Japan. Takano emerged from a childhood deeply rooted in comic books, animations, and video games, which would go on to inspire her artwork. Her painting style draws from the aesthetic of traditional woodblock prints, ukiyo-e (picture of the floating world), while simultaneously integrates the influence of Western painting traditions — most notably French Impressionism and European Surrealism.
As a prominent member of Takashi Murakami's Kaikai Kiki collective, Aya Takano has captivated global audiences with mesmerising, thought-provoking, and otherworldly artwork that transports viewers to an enigmatic realm. Through her synthesis of diverse artistic inspirations and methodologies, Takano’s works showcase a highly unique and compelling aesthetic that also follows the lead of her peers such as Takashi Murakami, and in line with the aesthetic of the Superflat movement.By blurring the lines between fantasy and reality in her bizarre, idealistic visual world, however, Takano’s paintings disrupt in that they push viewers to challenge notions of ‘normality’. Her compositions serve as an exploration of identity, feminism and self-expression, provoking viewers to think more deeply about how to perceive the world.
Utopian Fantasy World
Detail of the present workTakano’s canvases often feature wide-eyed, ethereal characters floating in dreamlike landscapes, full of pastel colours and intricate details. The intersection of reality and fantasy is an extremely important tone of super-flatness, which is best exemplified in Takano's works. The current work—In the 30th Year of the Showa, the Day the Fire Flowers Rose—likely showcases a utopian fantasy world to the audience, where all characters and images have no clear boundaries nor hierarchical distinctions.
Takano's artistry often includes a harmonious blend of reflections on Japanese contemporary society, traditional culture, and artistic techniques. In the year 1955, during the Showa 30 period, Japan witnessed a time of rapid growth and prosperity for both its society and economy. This era also marked the beginning of elevated spirits and thriving fortunes. Meanwhile, the character’s costume and dreamlike background transports us to a world where fireworks and traditional attires, reminiscent of Japan's summer festivals, create picturesque scenes unique to Japan.
In the 30th Year of the Showa, the Day the Fire Flowers Rose directly references a bygone era, whilst simultaneously exuding a sense of anticipation for the bright horizon of life ahead. The work presents to the viewer a sentimental attachment to Japan's rich cultural heritage, and, amidst the dazzling brilliance of the fireworks, a liberation from the anxieties and biases of the present, returning to the pure and pulsating euphoria of idealism. The floating figures and unalloyed creative expression merge perfectly and harmoniously in this dreamy world, just like super-flatness itself.Breaking the Gendered Lens
“What everyone sees as young girls in my work are really the liberated, vibrant beings that exists within us all. I do not believe that I am attempting to emphasise sexuality. What I am showing is a state where we hold on to nothing and yet are one with everything. It is a form of ecstasy.”
— Aya TakanoIn the 1980s, youthful girls became a target of consumer culture in Japan's otaku culture, leading to objectification and infantilisation of women. Female Japanese artists like Takano are disruptive for reinventing otaku culture through a unique feminine perspective, exploring the future's impact on the female heroine's role in society. Although Takano's artworks typically feature characters with traditional feminine traits like long hair, dresses, and breasts, they remain androgynous and ambiguous, forever in a young a pubescent state before specific gendered traits are fully developed. In an effort to further challenge gender norms, Takano also includes genderless characters that resemble fairies or aliens. The artist believes that in the future, the boundary between genders will be broken:
“… I believe ‘gender’ will solely be the word to describe the mechanism of an individual body. We are now coming to understand that there is such a wide diversity [in gender identity] depending on the individual. While I cannot tell what the biological and survival consequences of this will be, I am curious to find out about the future of this path.”
— Aya TakanoIn the present composition, Takano depicts a world that is both otherworldly and grounded in humanity, in which Takano carefully balances serious themes with playful whimsy. Androgynous protagonists, extraterrestrial creatures, a whimsical scene of vegetables suspended in mid-air amidst drifting clouds and trailing shooting stars come together to form a vibrant background. The use of delicate and soft colouration in depicting this scene imparts a sense of gentle enchantment to the piece, reflecting Takano’s playful aesthetic vision and distinctive artistry.
Collector’s Digest
-
The mesmerising world of Aya Takano art is undoubtedly an investment in both the mind and the spirit. Her works has been exhibited in: Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; Museum Frieder Burda; The National Museum of Art, Osaka; Helsinki Museum of Art; Museum der Moderne Salzburg; Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei; Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo; Aomori Museum.
-
Aya Takano graduated from Tama Art University in 2000 and became the featured female artist in Kaikai Kiki Gallery soon after. Takano is represented by renown galleries including Kaikai Kiki Gallery (Tokyo), Blum & Poe Gallery (LA and Tokyo), Galerie Perrotin, Galleria Lorcan O’Neill (Rome), Parco Gallery (Tokyo), etc., solidifying her position as a prominent artist in both Japan and on the global art scene.
A documentary about Aya Takano and her celebrated art practice-
Provenance
Galerie Perrotin, Paris
Private Collection
Phillips, Hong Kong, 25 November 2019, lot 132
Acquired at the above sale by the present ownerLiterature
Jennifer Higgie, Aya Takano, Belgium, 2010, pp. 66-67 (illustrated)
335
In the 30th Year of the Showa, the Day the Fire Flowers Rose
signed and dated '2005 TAKANO AYA' on the reverse
acrylic on canvas
181.6 x 227 cm. (71 1/2 x 89 3/8 in.)
Painted in 2005.
Estimate
HK$500,000 - 800,000
€58,600-93,700
$64,100-103,000
Sold for HK$635,000
Anastasia Salnikoff
Head of Mid-Season Sales
+852 2318 2014
anastasiasalnikoff@phillips.com
Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com
Disruptors: Evening Sale of 20th Century & Contemporary Art, Design and Watches
Hong Kong Auction 25 May 2023
301
Anna Park
Nude
Estimate HK$500,000 - 700,000
Sold for HK$698,500
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
302
Wing Shya
Three works: Happy Together Stills (i) The Talk at Bar Sur; (ii) Prologue 2; (iii) Two to Tango
Estimate HK$80,000 - 120,000
Sold for HK$165,100
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
303
Rolex
Ref. 6536/1
Model: Submariner
An impressive, attractive and rare stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with center seconds, black lacquered dial and braceletEstimate HK$240,000 - 480,000
Sold for HK$508,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
304
Patek Philippe
Ref. 5207P-001
An exceptionally fine and rare platinum perpetual calendar minute repeating tourbillon wristwatch with small seconds, moon phases, leap year, day and night indication, additional solid caseback, setting pin, Certificate of Origin and presentation boxEstimate HK$4,000,000 - 6,000,000
Sold for HK$4,826,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
305
Cartier
Ref. 2774
Model: Crash
A rare, possibly unique and exquisite white gold and diamond-set asymmetrical wristwatch with Certificate of Origin and presentation boxEstimate HK$500,000 - 1,000,000
Sold for HK$990,600
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
306
Audemars Piguet
Ref. 14802ST
Model: Royal Oak Jubilee
An extremely attractive and rare limited edition stainless steel wristwatch with salmon dial, date, bracelet, certificate and presentation box, numbered 622 of a limited edition of 1,000 pieces, made in commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Royal OakEstimate HK$600,000 - 1,200,000
Sold for HK$952,500
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
307
Fernando Campana and Humberto Campana
'Bolotas' armchair
Estimate HK$120,000 - 180,000
Sold for HK$165,100
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
308
Mr.
Misaki
Estimate HK$2,000,000 - 3,000,000
Sold for HK$3,302,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
309
This lot is no longer available.
310
Yayoi Kusama
I Who Sing in Celebration of Humanity
Estimate HK$7,500,000 - 9,500,000
Sold for HK$8,509,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
311
André Butzer
Untitled
Estimate HK$700,000 - 900,000
Sold for HK$889,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
312
Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret
Bookshelf with cabinets, model no. 14, from 'L’Équipement de la Maison' series
Estimate HK$150,000 - 200,000
Sold for HK$304,800
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
313
Cartier
Ref. WGTA0044
Model: Tank Asymétrique
A rare, fine and attractive limited edition yellow gold asymmetrical wristwatch with certificate and presentation box, numbered 89 of a limited edition of 100 piecesEstimate HK$200,000 - 400,000
Sold for HK$241,300
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
314
Rolex
Ref. 6241
Model: Cosmograph Daytona
An extremely rare and attractive yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with champagne dialEstimate HK$940,000 - 1,500,000
Sold for HK$1,092,200
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
315
Cartier
Ref. WGTA0088
Model: Tank Chinoise
A rare, "like-new" and elegant limited edition yellow gold rectangular-shaped wristwatch with warranty and presentation box, numbered 83 of a limited edition of 150 piecesEstimate HK$100,000 - 250,000
Sold for HK$165,100
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
316
This lot is no longer available.
317
KAWS
COMPANION
Estimate HK$4,000,000 - 6,000,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
318
Andy Warhol
Figures on a Busy Street
Estimate HK$450,000 - 650,000
Sold for HK$444,500
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
319
Nicolas Party
Trees
Estimate HK$10,000,000 - 15,000,000
Sold for HK$12,550,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
320
David Hockney
The Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, East Yorkshire in 2011 (twenty eleven) - 4 May
Estimate HK$680,000 - 850,000
Sold for HK$1,079,500
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
321
Takashi Murakami & Virgil Abloh
"FLOWER"
Estimate HK$1,000,000 - 2,000,000
Sold for HK$2,921,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
322
Anish Kapoor
Non Object (Mirror)
Estimate HK$3,800,000 - 4,800,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
323
Gio Ponti
Coffee table
Estimate HK$120,000 - 180,000
Sold for HK$152,400
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
324
Gio Ponti
Pair of armchairs, model no. 247, from the 'Modern by Singer' series
Estimate HK$100,000 - 150,000
Sold for HK$114,300
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
325
Angel Otero
Bayamón
Estimate HK$700,000 - 1,000,000
Sold for HK$1,079,500
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
326
Stanley Whitney
Stay Song 27
Estimate HK$1,800,000 - 2,800,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
327
Rafa Macarrón
343 Almas
Estimate HK$800,000 - 1,200,000
Sold for HK$1,016,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
328
Vacheron Constantin
Ref. 44018
Model: 222
A very elegant and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with date and integrated braceletEstimate HK$250,000 - 500,000
Sold for HK$508,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
329
Audemars Piguet
Ref. 25654BA.OO.0944BA.01
Model: Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
An extremely fine, rare and well-preserved yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with MK I dial, moon phases and integrated braceletEstimate HK$470,000 - 940,000
Sold for HK$660,400
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
330
Patek Philippe
Ref. 3940
A rare and attractive yellow gold perpetual calendar wristwatch with moon phases, leap year, 24-hour indication, Certificate of Origin and presentation boxEstimate HK$200,000 - 400,000
Sold for HK$508,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
331
RETNA
He's A Criminal No Different From Me. One Could Argue I Could Be Painted With The Same Brush
Estimate HK$300,000 - 500,000
Sold for HK$762,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
332
This lot is no longer available.
333
José Parlá
New Language Forms
Estimate HK$380,000 - 580,000
Sold for HK$355,600
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
334
Takashi Murakami & Virgil Abloh
"ARROWS AND FLOWER"
Estimate HK$1,200,000 - 2,200,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
335
Aya Takano
In the 30th Year of the Showa, the Day the Fire Flowers Rose
Estimate HK$500,000 - 800,000
Sold for HK$635,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
336
Katherine Bernhardt
Six Papayas
Estimate HK$300,000 - 500,000
Sold for HK$368,300
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
337
Cartier
Ref. 1734
Model: Tank Américaine
A very fine and rare limited edition platinum wristwatch with salmon dial and presentation box, numbered 16 of a limited edition of 30 pieces made for the 150th anniversary of the Swiss ConfederationEstimate HK$100,000 - 200,000
Sold for HK$165,100
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
338
Patek Philippe
Ref. 5065A
Model: Aquanaut
An attractive and rare stainless steel wristwatch with center seconds, date and presentation boxEstimate HK$160,000 - 310,000
Sold for HK$330,200
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
339
Franck Muller
Ref. 2870 NADF
Model: Chronographe Double Face
A rare and attractive yellow gold double-faced chronograph wristwatch with two-tone silvered dials, pulsations, telemeter and tachymeter scales, Certificate of Origin and presentation boxEstimate HK$80,000 - 160,000
Sold for HK$190,500
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
340
Jean Prouvé
Sun shutter, designed for schools in Cameroon
Estimate HK$80,000 - 120,000
Sold for HK$101,600
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
341
Jean Prouvé
Sun shutter, designed for schools in Cameroon
Estimate HK$80,000 - 120,000
Sold for HK$101,600
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
342
Wolfgang Tillmans
paper drop (Studio) I
Estimate HK$100,000 - 150,000
Sold for HK$177,800
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
343
Wolfgang Tillmans
paper drop (London) II
Estimate HK$100,000 - 150,000
Sold for HK$139,700
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
344
Hiroshi Sugimoto
North Pacific Ocean, Ohkurosaki
Estimate HK$160,000 - 240,000
Sold for HK$215,900
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
345
Hiroshi Sugimoto
Bay of Sagami, Atami
Estimate HK$160,000 - 240,000
Sold for HK$228,600
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
346
Ron Arad
'Big Easy Volume 2' armchair
Estimate HK$200,000 - 300,000
Sold for HK$190,500
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
347
Gio Ponti
'Diamond' flatware service for 24
Estimate HK$190,000 - 280,000
Sold for HK$254,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
348
Vacheron Constantin
Ref. 49152/000A-9540
Model: Overseas Chronograph
A fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with date, guarantee and presentation box, numbered 91 of a limited edition of 100 pieces made for the Greek marketEstimate HK$120,000 - 200,000
Sold for HK$165,100
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
349
Rolex
Ref. 16520
Model: Cosmograph Daytona
A very fine and well-preserved stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, guarantee and presentation boxEstimate HK$180,000 - 280,000
Sold for HK$254,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
350
Audemars Piguet
Ref. 26300ST.OO.1110ST.08
Model: Royal Oak Chronograph
A fine and attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with date, bracelet, Certificate of Authentication and presentation boxEstimate HK$160,000 - 320,000
Sold for HK$304,800
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
351
Rolex
Ref. 1680
Model: Submariner, “Red Sub”, MK II
A rare and attractive stainless steel diver’s wristwatch with center seconds, date, MK II dial, bracelet and presentation boxEstimate HK$120,000 - 300,000
Sold for HK$190,500
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
352
After Jean-Michel Basquiat
Flexible
Estimate HK$450,000 - 650,000
Sold for HK$533,400
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
353
Kenny Scharf
Unique Surfboard
Estimate HK$450,000 - 650,000
Sold for HK$406,400
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
354
Poul Kjærholm
'Hammock' lounge chair, model no. PK 24
Estimate HK$90,000 - 120,000
Sold for HK$114,300
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
355
Urwerk
Ref. UR-105M
Model: Dark Knight
A fine, rare and unusual limited edition titanium wristwatch with three-dimensional satellite hour display, power reserve, warranty and presentation box, numbered 10 of a limited edition of 77 piecesEstimate HK$180,000 - 280,000
Sold for HK$304,800
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
356No Reserve
Rolex
Ref. 126000
Model: Oyster Perpetual 36
A attractive stainless steel wristwatch with center seconds, “Tiffany” blue lacquer dial, bracelet, guarantee and presentation boxEstimate HK$60,000 - 120,000 •
Sold for HK$203,200
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
357No Reserve
Alain Silberstein
Ref. TMA1-002
Model: Tourbillon Volant
A very rare and unusual limited edition stainless steel semi-skeletonised tourbillon wristwatch with date, numbered 1 of a limited edition of 9 piecesEstimate HK$80,000 - 160,000 •
Sold for HK$139,700
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
358
KAWS and Estudio Campana
KAWS: MONSTER Chair
Estimate HK$400,000 - 600,000
Sold for HK$381,000
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
359
KAWS
UNTITLED
Estimate HK$500,000 - 700,000
Sold for HK$419,100
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
360
Hans J. Wegner
'Valet' chair, model no. 540
Estimate HK$40,000 - 60,000
Sold for HK$133,350
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
361
Arne Jacobsen
'Egg' chair model no. 3316 and later ottoman, model no. 3127
Estimate HK$30,000 - 50,000
Sold for HK$35,560
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
362
Yoshitomo Nara
Hand Searching
Estimate HK$400,000 - 600,000
Sold for HK$584,200
Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.