[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] The 'Pumpkin' by Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama was sold at auction for 5.45 billion KRW. This is the highest price for an artwork auctioned in Korea this year and the highest domestic auction price ever for the artist.
According to Seoul Auction on the 24th, Kusama Yayoi's 1981 work 'Pumpkin' started at 5.2 billion KRW and was finally sold for 5.45 billion KRW at the Seoul Auction 'Winter Sale' held the previous day. This surpassed the 4.2 billion KRW record set by Marc Chagall's 'Garden of Saint-Paul,' which was the highest price for a work auctioned domestically this year. The 'Pumpkin' attracted attention as it was sold on-site rather than in writing.
This Kusama 'Pumpkin' piece is the largest among those introduced domestically, size 50호 (116.7×90.3 cm). Even before the auction, an estimated price of 5.4 billion KRW was presented, drawing significant attention in the industry.
Meanwhile, a total of 127 lots were sold at this Seoul Auction Winter Sale, with total sales amounting to 11.5 billion KRW and a sell-through rate of 93%.
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