Create your first list.
Select an existing list or create a new list to share and manage lots you follow.
KAWS, the celebrated contemporary artist, has left an indelible mark on the art world with his ground-breaking fusion of pop culture and fine art. His iconic sculptures, paintings, and prints have garnered a worldwide following and cemented his place as one of the most influential artists of our generation.
Through an uncompromising irreverence towards traditional art forms, KAWS has redefined what it means to be a contemporary artist, challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries with his bold and provocative creations. His ability to blur the lines between high and low art has earned him a reputation as a true disruptor, inspiring a new wave of artists to break free from traditional norms and embrace the ever-evolving world of art.
Installation view of the present work, Arata Isozaki ‘Obscured Horizon’, Courtesy Jerry and Eba Sohn Residence, Joshua Tree, California
Photograph by Josh White.The present work is the product of a remarkable interaction with curators Paris Murray Celant, Dr. Cornelia Lauf and the artist, dating back to 2016. Moved by the captivating force of KAWS’ art, they approached him to translate one of his potential works into production. The original painting burst with vibrant joy that seemed to glow with an otherworldly energy. Yet, despite its seeming simplicity, the painting's creation required a masterful skill that defies the very medium it was destined for. This striking contradiction was precisely what the curators craved - a challenge to the notion of the industrial readymade, and a radical leap forward to preserve the value of artisanal practice in an era dominated by virtual and industrial techniques. In collaboration with highly skilled artisans in Afghanistan, the carpet is produced by Christopher Farr, the revered textile designer whose collections became known as the catalyst that revolutionised contemporary rug design and restored rug-making to the status of fine art.
As the line between art and design becomes increasingly enigmatic, the use of rugs is emerging as fertile turf for cross-disciplinary collaboration, as shown by forays by contemporary artists like Jonas Wood and Christopher Wool.
Jonas Wood, Green Pattern Rug, 2018
The resulting work’s diameter is a graphically striking composition rendered in brilliant chromatic hues that compete with one another for dominance but ultimately submit to a frenzied pandemonium, tempered by the essential spirituality of the circle. Further concentric circles add to the voluminous depth of the composition, where cartoon eyes pierced by KAWS’ signature ‘XX’ motif overlap and amalgamate.
Adept at subverting and refashioning the familiar in pop culture, KAWS has always tended to cartoon as a means of highlighting the inherent malleability of cultural symbols. Despite being rooted in their source imagery, the artist’s works are not appropriations of specific animated cartoon narratives but rather form broader dialogues of universal human emotions. Of his practice, KAWS has commented, 'even though I use a comic language, my figures are not always reflecting the idealistic cartoon view that I grew up on, where everything has a happy ending' i.
Showcasing his instantly identifiable aesthetic that straddles both traditional illustration and expressive abstraction, the present work is a compelling example from the artist’s celebrated tondo series. Deriving from the Italian rotondo, or ‘round’, the Renaissance term ‘tondo’ refers to a circular work of art that historically allowed painters to emphasise the centre of an image by containing a scene within a frame, thereby separating it from its environment.
Collector’s Digest
“KAWS is not just referring to Pop culture, he is making it.”
—Michael Auping-
Considered as one of the most iconic and forward-thinking artists of his generation, KAWS is celebrated for his multi-disciplinary practice that subverts the traditions of fine art with street art influences, satirising consumer culture.
-
Breaking the ideological hierarchies between the avant-garde and kitsch, KAWS gives his characters life through a variety of mediums including clothing, limited-edition toys, and large-scale sculptures. His works can be found in prominent public collections around the world, including the Brooklyn Museum, New York; Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Texas; CAC Malaga; Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego; High Museum of Art, Atlanta; and the Rosenblum Collection, Paris.
-
KAWS has exhibited extensively around the globe, most recently with solo exhibitions at the Serpentine, London: KAWS: NEW FICTION (digital exhibition) from 18 January - 27 February, 2022; the High Museum of Art in Atlanta: KAWS PRINTS, from 3 December 2021 – 27 March 2022; and Skarstedt Gallery in New York (5 November – 11 December 2021), KAWS: SPOKE TOO SOON.
-
KAWS also recently exhibited a monumental retrospective in his hometown, KAWS: WHAT PARTY, which was hosted by the Brooklyn Museum in New York between 26 February – 5 September 2021.
-
Other recent solo exhibitions also include the Mori Arts Centre in Tokyo (16 July – 11 October 2021), and a retrospective at the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia (2019-2020).
i KAWS, quoted in KAWS: WHERE THE END STARTS, exh. cat., Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Fort Worth, 2016, p. 5
-
Provenance
Gifted by the artist to the present owner
Artist Biography
KAWS
American • 1974
To understand the work of KAWS is to understand his roots in the skateboard and graffiti crews of New York City. Brian Donnelly chose KAWS as his moniker to tag city streets beginning in the 1990s, and quickly became a celebrated standout in the scene. Having swapped spray paint for explorations in fine art spanning sculpture, painting and collage, KAWS has maintained a fascination with classic cartoons, including Garfield, SpongeBob SquarePants and The Simpsons, and reconfigured familiar subjects into a world of fantasy.
Perhaps he is most known for his larger-than-life fiberglass sculptures that supplant the body of Mickey Mouse onto KAWS' own imagined creatures, often with 'x'-ed out eyes or ultra-animated features. However, KAWS also works frequently in neon and vivid paint, adding animation and depth to contemporary paintings filled with approachable imagination. There is mass appeal to KAWS, who exhibits globally and most frequently in Asia, Europe and the United States.
359
UNTITLED
hand-knotted Afghan handspun wool
diameter 243.8 cm. (96 in.)
Produced by Christopher Farr Inc., London and Los Angeles in 2016-2021, this work is artist's proof 3 from an edition of 1 plus 3 artist's proofs. This work is accompanied by 2 certificates of authenticity signed by the artist and issued by the artist's studio and Christopher Farr Inc. respectively.
Estimate
HK$500,000 - 700,000
€58,400-81,700
$64,100-89,700
Sold for HK$419,100
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.