To Be Held at Gangnam Center at 4 p.m. on the 27th
117 Lots with a Total Estimate of 5 Billion Won
Seoul Auction will hold the 189th Art Auction on January 27 at 4:00 p.m. at the Seoul Auction Gangnam Center. The auction will feature a balanced selection of paintings, sculptures, contemporary ceramics, and antique artworks by leading domestic and international artists. A total of 117 lots will be presented, with the combined low estimate amounting to approximately 5 billion won.
The highlight of the modern and contemporary art section is Park Soo-keun's "Mother and Two Women." Created in 1964, this oil on masonite piece is characterized by a rough texture reminiscent of granite, simplified forms, and restrained colors. The depiction of a mother and child in hanbok, alongside two women carrying baskets on their heads, transcends a specific scene to capture the lives and sentiments of ordinary people in the 1960s. The estimated price is set between 480 million and 800 million won.
Works by internationally renowned artists also draw attention. Yayoi Kusama's "Pumpkin (AAT)," created in 1999, uses the pumpkin-a symbol of the artist's worldview-as its subject, visualizing images of infinity and obsession through repetitive dot patterns. Despite its small canvas size, the piece showcases Kusama's signature dense composition. The estimated price ranges from 730 million to 900 million won.
Ugo Rondinone's sculpture "Black White Red Mountain" features stones stacked vertically, simultaneously expressing meditative balance and tension. The contrasting red, white, and black colors invite contemplation of the boundaries between nature and artifice, matter and perception. The estimated price is between 300 million and 400 million won.
Among Korean contemporary artists, Woo Kukwon's large-scale painting "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" will be auctioned. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, the work uses figures enjoying play amidst giant whales and waves to explore human attitudes in times of crisis with black humor. As a new piece completed in 2024, its estimated price is between 200 million and 260 million won.
Seoul Auction is also focusing on "Contemporary Moon Jars" in this auction. Kim Dongjun's moon jar is estimated between 8 million and 20 million won, while Kwon Daeseop's moon jar is estimated between 14 million and 30 million won. These works inherit the traditional white porcelain production techniques while reflecting each artist's unique sculptural language, making them symbolic objects embodying hopes and expectations for the new year.
In the antiques section, two works by late Joseon-period painter Hyeonjae Sim Sa-jeong, "Ssangjakdo" and "Ssangchido," will be featured. Both dated to 1759, these pieces are notable for their mature brushwork and delicate depiction. Their provenance is clear, as they were part of the collection of Muho Lee Hanbok, a prominent collector of antique artworks in the modern era, adding significant art historical value. Each work is estimated between 20 million and 60 million won.
Additionally, Emperor Gojong's handwritten calligraphy "Starting from Childhood (Gijadongnyeon)" will be auctioned. This piece was bestowed in 1909 to Jo Jung-eung, then Minister of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce, and is notable for its historical value, reflecting the irony of its era during the loss of national sovereignty. The estimated price is between 30 million and 50 million won.
Other notable lots include a set of six postcards, one sketch, and related materials by French printmaker Paul Jacoulet. These works, produced using multicolored woodblock printing techniques, depict Korean customs and people. The estimated price is between 5 million and 20 million won.
The auction preview will run until January 27 at the Seoul Auction Gangnam Center. During the preview period, visitors can view the lots in person free of charge, with viewing hours from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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