Lot 503
  • 503

GOKITA TOMOO | Mrs. Drunko

Estimate
600,000 - 800,000 HKD
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Description

  • Gokita Tomoo
  • Mrs. Drunko
  • acrylic and gouache on canvas
  • 161 by 130 cm; 63⅜ by 51⅛ in.
signed and titled in English and dated 2006 on the reverse

Provenance

ATM Gallery, New York
Acquired by the present owner from the above

Condition

This work is in good condition. The work contains slightly loose stretcher tension, thus minor undulation along the edges. Very close inspection reveals some unobtrusive tension cracks in places along the outer edge. There is evidence of a small impact with associated hairline crack towards the upper right corner (20 cm from top, 7 cm from right), and another minor dent to the centre bottom edge, with a hairline crack to the right of that. Further extremely close inspection reveals a few tiny hairline cracks towards the centre left edge. No restoration is apparent when examined under ultraviolet light.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

I am presuming that to deform the human face might be a reaction against my practice of depicting them like crazy when I was young. Probably, I have become tired of depicting faces. Also, I have loved the masked wrestlers of the Mexican Lucha libre and those masks in Africa all this time, and a kind of transformational desire “to hide a face and to become a different character”, which can be symbolized in those masks, may have affected my work. I suppose there exists a certain ghoulish curiosity towards monsters and deformities, too. - Gokita Tomoo