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PHILLIPS BRINGS ART AND TIME TOGETHER AT ART021 SHANGHAI CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR
Shanghai – 4 November 2025 – As Phillips commemorates its 10th anniversary in Asia, the auction house expands its presence at the ART021 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair (Booth E34) from 13 to 16 November, featuring a thoughtfully curated exhibition themed around timeless taste. Departing from the fair’s traditional emphasis on contemporary art, the presentation brings together refined works by 20th-century modern masters alongside a selection of exceptional timepieces. Highlights include floral and figurative compositions on paper, as well as small-scale oil paintings by Léonard Tsuguharu Foujita, Bernard Buffet, Lê Phổ and Mai Trung Thứ, Offered at accessible price points, these works provide collectors and art enthusiasts with a rare opportunity to acquire pieces by modern masters through PhillipsX, the house’s Private Sales platform. On the horological front, Phillips will present a selection of iconic timepieces from revered watchmakers such as Patek Philippe, F.P. Journe, Rolex, and Hublot. Chosen for their technical precision and artisanal mastery, these watches reflect the same dedication to craftsmanship found in fine art. Available through Phillips Perpetual, the brand’s private sales division for watches, the collection underscores the enduring synergy between art and horology. By uniting modern art classics with contemporary watchmaking excellence, Phillips invites visitors to explore the timeless dialogue between creativity and precision at this year’s ART021.
“We are truly honored to participate in this year’s ART021, where we once again have the opportunity to connect in person with collectors, art enthusiasts, and watch aficionados from Mainland China,” said Dina Zhang, Head of Modern & Contemporary Art, China. “This presentation breaks away from Phillips’ established reputation in contemporary art, as we turn our focus to works by 20th-century modern masters. These works not only hold significant art historical value but are also attractively priced, offering an ideal entry point for collectors looking to explore modern art.
Following the resounding success of the acclaimed Chinese contemporary ink artist Liu Dan’s solo exhibition at our Hong Kong galleries earlier this year, we are especially pleased to showcase two exceptional works by him. These vibrant, large-scale floral compositions—featuring his first-ever use of purple—highlight the evolution of his distinctive ink practice.
In parallel, Phillips’ renowned Watch Department has curated a selection of iconic timepieces from leading maisons including Patek Philippe, F.P. Journe, Rolex, and Hublot. These masterpieces of mechanical precision mirror the timeless ingenuity found in classical art. Through this exhibition, we aim to champion a philosophy of substance over trend, and precision over scale. We look forward to welcoming visitors to ART021 to experience the enduring dialogue between fine art and horology.”
Modern Art & Contemporary Chinese Ink Art
In recent years, the Vietnamese art market has witnessed remarkable growth, with Lê Phổ’s works commanding increasing attention. Notably, his five highest auction records have all been achieved within the past three years, underscoring the rising global recognition of this important category. The works Composition and Les Tulips Jaunes presented in ART021 hail from the artist’s celebrated “Findlay period,” named after the Wally Findlay Galleries, and are distinguished by their vivid palette and joyful, serene atmosphere. In Composition, Lê Phổ captures the tranquil beauty of nature, showcasing his mature style that blends Vietnamese sensibility with Post-Impressionist techniques through fluid brushwork and masterful interplay of light and shadow. Meanwhile, Les Tulips Jaunes breathes new life into the still-life genre, with radiant blossoms set against a soft, warm background. Through his exquisite control of color—particularly in the luminous rendering of yellow tulips—Lê Phổ offers a poetic meditation on the fleeting beauty of nature.
French modern master Bernard Buffet’s paintings often evoke solitude and tension, yet within this restraint lies a refined elegance. In Vase du soucis III, a vase of marigolds stands out against a neutral backdrop and a simple wooden table, intensifying the flowers' vivid hues. With bold lines and a strong composition, Buffet infuses the still life with dramatic tension, showcasing his mastery of both form and emotion.
After decades of refining his artistic language, Chu Teh-Chun’s No. 4 8 Juin 95 radiates a sublime spiritual energy and poetic depth. Over the years, he pioneered a distinctive style of abstract landscape painting, where expressive brushwork and luminous tones intertwine to evoke harmony and vitality. The dramatic interplay of light and shadow imbues the composition with grandeur and spatial complexity—a hallmark of his mature period that emerged following his encounter with Rembrandt’s masterful use of chiaroscuro during a formative visit to the Netherlands in the 1970s. This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by the Foundation Chu Teh-Chun and signed by Mrs. Ching-Chao Chu, the artist's spouse and co-editor of the forthcoming catalogue raisonné.
In Papaver Rhoeas–Purple, Liu Dan draws the viewer’s attention to the poppy plant, offering a visual annotation to the lamentations of Ming Dynasty poets Sun Qizheng and Qu Dajun. With brush and ink, he extends the sentiments of the ancients, transforming the poetic line ‘Vermilion beauty does not fade with the heroes’ into a tangible, enduring image. Though the heroes have long passed, the elegance of the famed flower—and the poets’ praises—live on through art, inviting admiration across generations.
Timepieces Highlights
Among modern Patek Philippe complicated watches, ref. 3970 is one of the most sought-after models, admired even by seasoned collectors. The present example Patek Philippe ref. 3970E in yellow gold bearing an 875’XXX movement is part of the early second series featuring not only a yellow gold case but also an off-white dial. Ref. 3970 was launched in 1986, continuing the design legacy of the iconic reference 2499, including its downturned fluted lugs and pump-style chronograph pushers, paying tribute to historical classics. As a modern perpetual calendar chronograph, it introduced several technical innovations, including an upgraded movement—the extensively modified CH 27-70Q—with added leap year indication and a 24-hour hand for enhanced functionality. One of F.P. Journe’s most complex creations is the Centigraphe Souverain. This revolutionary chronograph stands apart from traditional timepieces with its ability to measure extremely short intervals with remarkable precision—down to 1/100th of a second. Powered by the manual-winding Caliber 1506, the watch features a rocker-style pusher that replaces conventional chronograph buttons. This innovative movement separates the chronograph mechanism from the timekeeping function, allowing both systems to operate independently without interference, showcasing a remarkable feat of horological engineering.
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Shanghai Art021 Contemporary Art Fair, Booth E34
COLLECTORS PREVIEW (BY INVITATION ONLY): 13-14 November, Thursday and Friday, 14:00-20:00 PUBLIC DAYS: 15-16 November, Saturday and Sunday, 11:00-19:00
Location: Shanghai Exhibition Centre, No. 1000 Middle Yanan Road, Shanghai, China
*Entry will be closed one hour before the daily closing time
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ABOUT PHILLIPS Phillips: where the world’s curious and bold connect with the art, design and luxury that inspires them. As a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century works, Phillips offers dedicated expertise in the areas of Modern and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewelry. Auctions and exhibitions are primarily held in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, with representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States and Asia. Phillips offers a regular selection of live and online auctions, along with items available for immediate purchase. Phillips also offers a range of services and advice on all aspects of collecting, including private sales and assistance with appraisals, valuations, and financial planning. Visit phillips.com for further information.
PRESS CONTACT: HONG KONG – Ingrid Hsu, Head of PR and Corporate Communications, Asia Ingridhsu@phillips.com
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