112 Lots, Combined Low Estimate of 8.3 Billion Won
The 187th Art Auction, hosted by Seoul Auction, will take place at the Gangnam Center at 4 p.m. on October 28. The event will feature major works by leading figures in Korean modern and contemporary art, such as Kim Whanki and Kim Changyeol, as well as pieces by internationally renowned artists including Yayoi Kusama and David Hockney. In addition, a high-quality antique art section will showcase both paintings and ceramics. A total of 112 lots will be up for auction, with the combined low estimate amounting to approximately 8.3 billion won.
Among the highlights is a blue dot painting by Kim Whanki, created on paper during his New York period, with an estimated price ranging from 560 million to 800 million won. The work is characterized by a restrained pattern and unified tone, achieved through the orderly placement of colored dots. Kim Whanki’s works on paper are particularly valued as independent paintings, not merely preparatory studies for his canvases, reflecting the artist’s exploration of various colors and patterns. This piece is regarded as a prime example of his mastery in this medium, showcasing both his sense of form and lyricism.
Six works by Kim Changyeol, who is currently the subject of a major retrospective at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, will be featured in the auction. These include the shimmering “Water Droplet” from 1977 (estimated at 320 million to 500 million won), works depicting leaves, pieces on paper, and the “Return” series from the 1990s (estimated at 90 million to 150 million won). The selection offers a glimpse into the artist’s evolving world across different periods and materials.
Woo Gukwon’s “Big Adventure” (estimated at 80 million to 250 million won), also included in the auction, holds special significance as an homage to his father, painter Baekcho Woo Jaekyung. The work was previously displayed alongside Woo Jaekyung’s pieces during an exhibition in 2021.
Works by renowned international artists are also seeking new owners. Yayoi Kusama’s “Infinity Nets (SHOOX)” features a repetitive net pattern that extends beyond the canvas edges, creating a sense of infinite space. The piece employs the signature yellow and black color scheme often seen in Kusama’s iconic “Pumpkin” works, delivering a striking visual impact.
Two works by “pop art master” Andy Warhol, inspired by Campbell’s Soup boxes, will be offered in different colors and designs. Produced using the silkscreen technique, these pieces transform everyday objects into art, blurring the boundaries between art and non-art while addressing the mass consumer culture of modern society-core concepts in the artist’s oeuvre. David Hockney’s iPad drawing (estimated at 200 million to 280 million won), also featured in the auction, sensuously depicts the spring landscape of the artist’s hometown, East Yorkshire, England, through vivid colors.
The antique art section will present high-quality paintings and ceramics. The “Blue and White Porcelain Vase with Scholar Figures” (estimated at 300 million to 500 million won) is a rare piece, with dynamic and lively brushwork depicting scholar figures across the porcelain body. Such decorations are extremely uncommon, greatly enhancing the work’s value. Considering the refined technique, delicate brushstrokes, and clear cobalt blue coloring, it is presumed to be a top-tier porcelain piece produced for the royal court or a specific elite class during the late Joseon Dynasty. The work also offers insight into the refined aesthetic tastes of its original users.
Additionally, the eight-panel folding screen “Gwak Bunyang’s Leisure Painting” (estimated at 50 million to 100 million won), which depicts the lavish banquet of Tang Dynasty general Gwak Ja-ui, symbolizes wealth, honor, and the prosperity of descendants, making it highly auspicious. This work is part of a private collection amassed by a collector with a keen eye for antique art. Thirteen pieces from this collector’s holdings will be featured in a special section, offering a glimpse into the collector’s discernment and the joys of antique art collecting.
The preview exhibition for the 187th Seoul Auction Art Auction will run from October 18 through the auction day, October 28, at the Seoul Auction Gangnam Center. The exhibition is open to the public free of charge, with viewing hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
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