ART AUCTION NETS RM2.2M
Online, phone call bidding done for the first time, says Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers director
ATOTAL of 120 paintings were sold for RM2.2 million within four hours at the Malaysian and Southeast Asian Art Auction at Galeri Prima here yesterday, despite economic setbacks and the Covid-19 outbreak.
“Little Things”, a 1995 artwork by famous Malaysian artist Datuk Ibrahim Hussein, fetched the highest price at RM403,200 at the auction organised by Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers (HBAA).
HBAA director Sim Polenn said the second-highest bid was for Yusof Ghani’s “Siri Tari”, a 1993 oil-on-canvas artwork auctioned at RM168,000.
The third-highest bid was for the 2004 “Red Legong” acrylic-on-canvas by another well-known Malaysian artist, Ahmad Zakii Anwar, at RM108,000.
“We are grateful and happy to collect about RM2.2 million from artworks sold at the auction here, despite the challenging global economic situation, the Covid19 outbreak and change in the government.
“Throughout last year, we collected RM8.3 million and hopefully, we can reach the same target as last year.”
He said it was the first time that auctioning was conducted online and via phone call bidding.
Sim said HBAA was adhering to the government’s directive to suspend all major events and programmes to ensure the people’s safety and health.
“Previously, we had 250 bidders who came to the event. However, with the government’s directive, we asked 200 of our bidders today (yesterday) to auction online and through phone calls.
“This way, we can allow everyone to bid at home safely and we can minimise the spread of the coronavirus.” The second series of the Malaysian and Southeast Asian Art Auction will be held in June.