Where The Auction Is
Masterpieces the likes of “Water Dance” (1987) by the late, great Datuk Ibrahim Hussein, along with other paintings by Malaysian and South East Asian artists, will go under the hammer this month at the highly anticipated Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers even
In spite of our current lockdown, it’s reassuring to know that there is still a place for the appreciation of art, and more importantly, the purchase of art. The Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers (HBAA) sale of Malaysian and Southeast Asian Art continues this month, and much like recent editions, bidding will not take place on the floor but instead will only be conducted via absentee bids, telephone bids and naturally, online bids. “We were lucky to have recorded sale of RM 4 million in the Henry Butcher Art Auction March edition earlier this year,” says Sim Polenn, director of Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers. “It’s going to be a tough challenge for this August edition—considering factors such as political instability, economic slowdown, the Covid-19 crisis, and operating restrictions— we will move on with hope. Do our best and hope for the best, looking forward to the continuous support from our clients. It’s definitely Buyer’s Market now, the best time to buy quality artworks at reasonable prices.”
This time round, the auction will be led by two exceptional masterpieces by Kedah-born fine art superstar, the late Datuk Ibrahim Hussein, titled “Water Dance” (1987) and “Beyond The Blues” (2008). Estimated at RM 860,0001 million, “Water Dance” reflects the graceful movements of water dancers,
represented in the ambiguous entanglement of forms further accentuated by the rhythmic, emotive lines Hussein is celebrated for. Those very lines let loose and run amok in the abstract “Beyond The Blues”, which some interpret as horses galloping wildly through thick grassland. This painting is estimated to fetch between RM 700,0001million.
The auction will also offer works from other legends of Malaysian fine art: among them Datuk Syed Ahmad Jamal, Yong Mun Sen, the Father of Batik Art, Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng, the man honoured with the moniker “Malaysia’s Picasso”, Abdul Latiff Mohidin and even one piece from the ever elusive Dzulkifli Buyong. Contemporary artist the likes of Zulkifli Yusoff, Jalaini Abu Hassan, Ahmad Fuad Osman, Phuan Thai Meng, Ben Chong, Justin Lim and others are also represented. The Southeast Asian contingent will be represented by Indonesian expressionist painter Affandi and his compatriots Kartika Affandi, S.P Hidayat, Harlen Kurniawan and Angki Purbandono; Myanmar artists Sandra Khaing, Smith Sein Lynn; notable Philippine artists Winner Jumalon, Jaspher Penuliar and Poklong Anading; Singaporean artists Tay Bak Koi, Low Puay Hua, Ong Kim Seng, and Goh Beng Kwan, and Vietnamese artists Bui Xuan Phai, Nguyen Tu Nghiem, Nguyen Thanh Binh, and Le Huy Toan.
Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers (HBAA) sale of Malaysian and Southeast Asian Art is scheduled for 8 August 2021. For more details, kindly contact Sim Polenn at +6016-273 3628 or visit www.hbart.com. my for the E-catalogue.