The Art of Life: Transformative Works from a Distinguished Asian Private Collector

“T he Art of Life” presents a diverse collection assembled by a distinguished Asian private collector and patron of the arts. Driven by the belief in the transformative power of art to affect positive change, the collector has spearheaded efforts and made innumerable contributions within the local art scene in Asia. One of the most prominent patrons of art and culture in the region, the collector’s broad vision, dedicated efforts and selfless generosity have resulted in significant impact and achievements on the development of the art ecology in Asia, including contributions toward the growth of local art institutions, art education programs and the support of established artists as well as emerging local talents.

Sotheby’s is deeply privileged to present a curated assemblage of works from such an illustrious collection. Across genres, categories, mediums and styles, the selection encompasses paintings, drawings, sculptures and photography as well as iconic cutting-edge design, furniture and decorative pieces. The selection of works on offer across Sotheby's Hong Kong Evening and Day Auctions in July focuses on design and sculptural works that reflect the collector’s abiding belief in art as an art of living.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: FRANÇOIS-XAVIER LALANNE, *LE DIRECTION DE L'ESCARGOT*, DESIGNED IN 1996, EXECUTED IN 1997 AND CAST IN 2008, BRONZE, 52 BY 83 BY 42.5 CM. ESTIMATE: HK$600,000 - 800,000. FRANÇOIS-XAVIER LALANNE, *GORILLE DE SÛRETÉ I*, DESIGNED IN 1970, CAST IN 1984, PATINATED BRONZE, 153 BY 98 BY 89 CM. ESTIMATE: HK$5,500,000 - 7,500,000. FRANÇOIS-XAVIER LALANNE, *PETIT CHIEN PROSAÏQUE CONTRARIÉ*, DESIGNED IN 1987 AND CAST IN 2007, BRONZE, 41.5 BY 59 BY 29 CM. ESTIMATE: HK$400,000 - 600,000.

François-Xavier Lalanne is best known for his celebrated bestiary. Equal parts whimsical, primal and elegant, here they are represented by the monumental bronze sculpture Gorille de Sûreté I, Chien Prosaïque Contrarié and Le direction de L'escargot.

François-Xavier Lalanne, *Gorille de Sûreté I*, Designed in 1970, cast in 1984, patinated bronze, 153 by 98 by 89 cm. Estimate: HK$5,500,000 - 7,500,000.

Alongside François-Xavier Lalanne’s sculptures are exquisite and elegant design pieces by his wife, Claude Lalanne. Claude Lalanne’s enchanting amalgamations of botanical forms and furniture are represented by Lantern With Butterflies, Bougeoir 4 bobêches and the pair of Chaise Aux Branchettes. Seamlessly integrating art and nature into domestic living spaces, Les Lalanne’s fantastical creations are highly coveted by celebrities and contemporary collectors.

From left: Claude Lalanne, *Lantern With Butterflies,* Designed in 1990 and cast in 2015, gilt patinated and galvanised bronze, with three light, branches and two suspending bars. Estimate: HK$1,300,000 - 1,700,000. Claude Lalanne, *Pair of Chaise Aux Branchettes,* Designed in 1995 and cast in 2006, gilt patinated bronze and brass, C: 78.8 by 35.6 by 44 cm., D: 78.5 by 34.7 by 45.5 cm. estimate: HK$500,000 - 700,000.

Playing in 0:05:

Claude Lalanne, *Bougeoir 4 bobêches,* Designed in 2011 and cast in 2014, bronze, 11.5 by 45 by 20.5 cm. estimate: HK$250,000 - 350,000.

Contrasting with Les Lalanne’s organic aesthetic are the sleek forms by leading industrial designer Ron Arad. The shelf RTW (Re-Inventing the Wheel) and table Puddle 8 are classic examples of Arad’s radical re-conception of forms and structures grounded in tireless experimentations on materials and technology. Sharing similar concerns with commercial industrial processes, American artist Larry Bell investigates the potential of glass and light in relation to visual perception through his laminated cubic class works, exemplified by VFZM 6.

top: Ron Arad, *RTW (Re-Inventing the Wheel),* Designed in 1996 and executed in 2008, polished stainless steel, 130 by 130 by 20 cm. estimate: HK$200,000 - 300,000 ; *Puddle 8,* 2015, mirror polished stainless steel and patinated mild steel, accompanied with four detachable short and long legs respectively, overall with short legs: 36.5 by 189.3 by 75.5 cm. estimate: HK$170,000 - 260,000 .

ANTONY GORMLEY, *GUT XIII*, 2013, CAST IRON, 196.5 BY 50 BY 44 CM. ESTIMATE: HK$2,400,000 - 3,400,000. © THE ARTIST. PHOTOGRAPH BY STEPHEN WHITE, LONDON.

Epitomizing the dynamic relationships between figure and space, art and environment are acclaimed sculptures by Sir Antony Gormley. The life size blockwork GUT XIII was featured in the exhibition “States and Conditions, Hong Kong in 2014.” Designed to resonate within the dense urban conditions particular to the city, Gormley’s sculptures were strategically positioned and dispersed throughout the gallery’s rooms and corridors, activating the environment into a psychic and physiological testing ground. The artist’s dexterity and diversity in his choice of medium are displayed to full effect through two smaller blockworks of wood, Gut Model I, and alabaster Splice Model, as well as the early cast iron sculpture Insider XIV (Child).

From left to right: Antony Gormley, *INSIDER XIV (CHILD)*, 1999, cast iron, 65 by 24 by 9 cm. estimate: HK$800,000 - 100,000. © The artist. Photo © White Cube (George Darrell). Antony Gormley, *SPLICE MODEL II*, 2014, alabaster, 38.1 by 8.1 by 5.4 cm. estimate: HK$700,000 - 900,000. © The artist. Photograph by Stephen White, London. Antony Gormley, GUT MODEL 1, 2012, oak, 35.5 by 10.2 by 8.8 cm. estimate: HK$500,000 - 700,000. © The artist. Photograph by Stephen White, London.

Rounding up the selection are works by highly sought-after contemporary artists: Yoshitomo Nara’s Welcome to Fight, an early drawing of his classic feisty child with fist raised in victory; and Suh Do-ho’s Myselves, which investigates identity, individuality and collectivity. Last but not least, Andreas Gursky’s photograph of Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport when it was still in service in 1993 adds a poetic touch of nostalgia while nodding to the Asian heritage of the Collection.