Sotheby’s Hong Kong Presents
WWF TIGER TRAIL 2022
A Charity Auction in Conjunction With The World Wide Fund for Nature, Tiger Trail
Sale Proceeds to Support WWF’s Tiger Conservation Work
An exciting line up of 33 tiger sculptures & over 20 art pieces, created by over 60 renowned artists from across the world
ONLINE AUCTION: 12 APRIL - 5 MAY 2022 www.Sothebys.com
Hong Kong, 28 March 2022 Sotheby’s is delighted to present an online charity auction from 12 April - 5 May 2022 in conjunction with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Tiger Trail. The WWF Tiger Trail is an island-wide art trail across Singapore that brings together art and conservation to raise awareness of protecting nature in an engaging and educational way. An exciting line-up of life-sized tiger sculptures and unique tiger-inspired art pieces, designed by internationally acclaimed artists from across the world, will be offered at the charity auction, featuring artists such as Zhang Huan, Bharti Kher & Subodh Gupta, Ian Davenport, Ronnie Wood, Wasinburee Supanichvoraparch, Red Hong Yi and Ashley Yeo. Proceeds raised will support WWF’s tiger conservation work to protect forest habitats, support field rangers and engage local communities in Southeast Asia.
Early in the 20th century, 100,000 wild tigers wandered freely on Earth. Today, around 3,900 tigers are left in the wild; the diminishing population is a result of rampant poaching and habitat loss. 33 tiger sculptures are now exhibited across Singapore’s iconic landmarks till 9 April 2022, before they go up for auction in April. Each sculpture represents a unique perspective on how climate change, poaching and deforestation is affecting tigers in the wild.
Jasmine Prasetio, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, Sotheby’s, expresses, “Sotheby’s is honoured to host this charity auction with sale proceeds supporting WWF’s tiger conservation work. We believe that art has the power to do good and to make a positive impact. By melding art with conservation, we are excited to bring together unique tiger works created by over 60 artists across the globe. We would like to thank WWF for giving Sotheby’s the opportunity to be part of this meaningful project.”
Stuart Chapman, Tigers Alive Initiative Lead, WWF, explains, “For the last 12 years, WWF has supported the goal of TX2 -- a global commitment to double the world’s wild tiger population by 2022. Tiger numbers have increased in some countries since 2010, which is an incredible result. But there is no room for complacency as this progress is fragile and tigers are still under threat, particularly in Southeast Asia. We are truly grateful for the support of our partners in the WWF Tiger Trail, making our tiger conservation work possible.”
SALE HIGHLIGHTS
Acrylic paint on fiberglass (fire retardant) with internal armature 220 x 70 x 60 cm
Estimate: HK$800,000 - 2,000,000
Sculpture Concept
“The core of my art comes from the Tibetan culture of Kangrinboqe. The skull elements are the symbol of the patron gods in Tibetan culture. To me, they are spirits, representing every life entity and life cell from the universe. The tiger is densely covered with brightly colored skulls in order to convey the natural law of coexistence between us and the tiger, human and nature.”
Stainless steel utensils and fiber and bindis 108 x 61 x 104 cm
Estimate: HK$750,000 - 2,000,000
Installation Concept
In a one-of-its-kind collaboration, Bharti Kher and Subodh Gupta come together again for charity, to create an artwork that extends both artists’ long-standing explorations of found objects and ritual within the everyday. Combining elements from their signature materials – the utensil, and the bindi – with a fibreglass tiger head, the unique piece speaks simultaneously to their commitment towards art as a vehicle for social good.
Acrylic paint on fiberglass (fire retardant) with internal armature 220 x 70 x 60 cm
Estimate: HK$90,000 - 350,000
Sculpture Concept
Ian has taken inspiration from his main signature works of controlled dynamic pouring of paint, but here his unique lines suggest the individuality of tiger stripes. The stripes are rendered in bright colourful, dynamic colours to emphasize its majestic unique beauty, contrasted against the black areas of absence and loss.
Acrylic paint on fiberglass (fire retardant) with internal armature 220 x 70 x 60 cm
Estimate: HK$80,000 - 320,000
Sculpture Concept
He is meant to bluntly and directly remind the world of the imminent demise of the tiger- hoping to bring stark awareness to people of the critical situation facing us regarding the fragility of their preservation.
Acrylic paint on fiberglass (fire retardant) with internal armature 220 x 70 x 60 cm
Estimate: HK$75,000 - 350,000
Sculpture Concept
The sculpture is being displayed in the form of an old antique found in a museum. Wasinburee Supanichvoraparch has applied the ceramic patterns of Chinese Porcelain that once belonged to Augustus the Strong to a tiger sculpture. Augustus II traded his highly reputed Dragoon soldiers for 151 porcelain pieces to gain recognition and status as a powerful and sophisticated king. This story has fascinated the artist and regularly become a source of his aesthetic inspiration.
White paint and woven rattan, fiberglass (fire retardant) with internal armature frame 220 x 70 x 60 cm
Estimate: HK$32,000 - 130,000
Sculpture Concept
The concept invites audiences to consider the survival of two beautiful forms, the passion, dedication and sacrifice that is required to keep them alive and the consequences if we fail. Materials and processes employed are based on those found in traditional crafts. The main construction material is rattan, similar to the making of the lion dance head. Knotting and cording are used to secure the joints, showcasing the art of Chinese knots.
Emulsion and acrylic paint on fiberglass (fire retardant) with internal armature 220 x 70 x 60 cm
Estimate: HK$32,000 - 90,000
Sculpture Concept
Featuring falling flowers over the tiger, the painted florals feature various species of endangered and rare flowers as a reminder to preserve the remaining landscapes for the protected flora and fauna. Once they are extinct we would no longer be able to enjoy their beauty.
