Once again for Ravenel Art, the auction auditorium in the Fubon National Conference Center on Sunday December 7, 2008 was packed with more than 500 people and 250 registered bidders but bidding reflected the new realities of a challenging market. Total sales reached USD 7, 245, 540, which was 66.41% of value, a very respectable result in difficult market conditions. 102 of 147 lots were sold representing 69.39%.

The top selling lot on Sunday was Cai Guo Qiang’s ‘Descending Wolves for the Guggenheim International Gala’, which realized USD 903, 995 among intense early bidding. One of the best of Cai’s ‘explosion pictures’, it is truly a masterpiece of the artist’s technique and expression. Created on five paper panels, it depicts a pack of wolves descending a rocky mountain. Cai has captured the full power, beauty and energy of the wolves through his use of explosives and created a magnificent picture where the tones and hues evoke the greatness of traditional Chinese ink and brush painting.

Zhang Xiaogang’s ‘Bloodline Series – Big Family’ brought in a winning bid of USD 837, 209. Painted in 1998, the work reflects the mature abilities of Zhang in this series. The painting is of particular note because of the intenseness of the expression in the eyes of the mother, father and son created by an artist at the height of his powers. Based on old black and white family photographs, the Bloodline Series depicts the soul and character of the Chinese people who have alert yet distant gazes.

All prices include commission and are based on an exchange rate of USD 1 = New Taiwan Dollar 33.54.

Auction info www.ravenelart.com

Posted: 12|12|08 at 9:53 am. Filed under: Auction News.