Seoul Auction to Hold 185th Art Auction on August 26
94 Lots Worth at Least 6.1 Billion KRW Up for Bidding
Featuring Works by Kyungja Chun, Kangso Lee, Lee Ufan, Andy Warhol, and More
Preview Exhibition Open Until August 26
Seoul Auction will hold the "185th Art Auction" at 4:00 p.m. on August 26 at the Seoul Auction Gangnam Center. This auction will feature modern and contemporary artworks by renowned domestic and international artists, as well as traditional Joseon Dynasty portraits. A total of 94 lots will be presented, with the total estimated value starting at a minimum of 6.1 billion KRW.
Kyungja Chun 'Mimosa Fragrance' (1977), estimated price 500 million to 800 million KRW. Seoul Auction
One of the main highlights is Kyungja Chun’s 1977 work "Mimosa Fragrance." The piece depicts a woman gazing quietly beyond the frame with a restrained expression. The woman’s eyes, with their emphasized pupils, are so striking that they capture the viewer’s attention. The vivid colors of the flowers and butterflies in her hair harmonize with the contemplative mood that pervades the work, creating a visually pleasing effect. The estimated price is 500 million to 800 million KRW.
Kangso Lee’s "Untitled - 91016" is a large-scale piece, size 200. The artist, who has consistently explored the boundary between reality and imagination, began focusing on landscapes featuring ducks, deer, and ferries in the late 1980s. While using traditional motifs such as ducks and water, he does not depict the subjects as they are; instead, he renders their movement with a few simple, natural strokes. The ducks, painted with fluid and dynamic brushwork in overlapping forms, convey a sense of process and change rather than fixed objects, resulting in a vibrant energy that invites diverse interpretations from viewers. The estimated price is 140 million to 300 million KRW.
Lee Ufan’s "With Winds" stands out for its lighter movement compared to his earlier "From Winds" series, which was characterized by dynamic motion and strong brushstrokes. The overall atmosphere of the work also shows the canvas space gradually settling and calming. Through traces of bodily gestures left on the canvas, the piece quietly expresses the invisible dynamism of the air, reflecting the transitional qualities that would later lead the artist’s work toward the "Correspondance" series. The estimated price is available upon request.
Andy Warhol 'Campbell’s SoupⅡ (F. & S.Ⅱ.54-63)' (1969), estimated price 500 million to 1 billion KRW. Seoul Auction
Master of Pop Art Andy Warhol’s "Dollar Sign" and "Campbell’s Soup II (F. & S.Ⅱ.54-63)" are both representative works featuring his iconic subjects. "Dollar Sign" fills the canvas with the symbol of American currency, visually expressing the relentless desire for wealth and ambition hidden behind the American Dream. The boldly rendered dollar sign and the contrasting purple background evoke the dazzling, media-saturated image of America at the time. "Campbell’s Soup II (F. & S.Ⅱ.54-63)" is a quintessential example of Warhol’s use of repetition, with identically sized soup cans arranged in sequence, reflecting the mass-media culture of industrial society and its influence on modern individuals. The estimated prices are 450 million to 800 million KRW and 500 million to 1 billion KRW, respectively.
In the antique art section, the "Portrait of Josukha," depicting a high-ranking Joseon official from the late Joseon period, will be presented. As a typical portrait of a meritorious subject, the delicate rendering of the eyes, lips, and hair makes the figure appear more vivid and three-dimensional. Another portrait of Josukha, believed to have been created alongside this piece, is housed at the National Museum of Korea. The two works differ significantly in format, drawing attention. The museum’s version features a scholar’s desk with various objects in front, emphasizing the depiction of items rather than the figure. The estimated price is 40 million to 100 million KRW.
Seokji Chae Yongshin’s "Portrait of Shin Kiyoung" captures the Joseon-era scholar Shin Kiyoung at the age of twenty and has been designated as a tangible cultural asset of North Jeolla Province. Unusually for a traditional Korean portrait, it features an outdoor background. Based on the stone monument placed in front of the rock in the background and the inscription on the back of the painting, it is believed to depict the ceremonial site at Hwayangsan Mountain, where Shin Kiyoung and others presided over a royal ritual on Emperor Gojong’s birthday. Beyond portraiture, the work showcases Chae Yongshin’s skill across various genres, including landscapes, flower-and-bird paintings, and animal paintings. The estimated price is 135 million to 200 million KRW.
Unbo Kim Kigchang 'Primitive Image (1960-1964), Estimated Price 70 Million KRW to 150 Million KRW. Seoul Auction
Also up for auction is "Primitive Image," an abstract work by modern Korean painting master Unbo Kim Kigchang. This piece is part of the "Image" series created during the period when Unbo pursued a fully abstract world. In "Primitive Image," created out of nostalgia for primitive art, the artist sought to express human history through "stones" and "stone moss," symbols of Eastern spirit. The primitive and simplified composition, along with the tactile quality reminiscent of mati?re, demonstrates Unbo’s uniquely modern interpretation of tradition. The estimated price is 70 million to 150 million KRW.
The preview exhibition is currently underway at the Seoul Auction Gangnam Center. Anyone can visit for free until the day of the auction, August 26, with viewing hours from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily.
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