Zao Wou-Ki (Zhao Wuji) (1920-2013), 15.2.93. signed in Chinese and Pinyin; signed in Pinyin, titled and dated 15.2.93 on the reverse, framed, oil on canvas, 162 by 150 cm.; 63¾ by 59 in. Estimate 1,317,238 — 2,195,397   EUR. Lot sold.1,588,882 EUR. Photo Sotheby's

BEIJING.- Sotheby’s Beijing Spring Sale 2015 concluded today, with the Modern and Contemporary Chinese Art Auction totalling RMB 40.48 million / HK$50.6 million / US$6.49 million*. Wen Guihua, President of Sotheby’s Beijing Auction Co. Ltd., said: “The results of the sale today were rational and solid. Important early works by modern and contemporary artists, such as Liu Xiaodong and Wang Xingwei, remained sought after by collectors and achieved pleasing results. Abstract art has become an important force of the market and in today’s sale we saw strong demand for high-quality abstract works. Top lot of the sale, Zao Wou-Ki’s 15.2.93, achieved RMB 10.86 million and Walasse Ting’s Untitled fetched three times the high estimate with intense bidding. Works by young and emerging artists performed strongly in the sale with Yuan Yuan and Wang Guangle’s paintings selling above high estimates, proving that young artists with great potential are still the focus of the market.” 

Walasse Ting (Ding Xiongquan) (1929-2010), Untitled,signed in Pinyin and dated 59 on the reverse, framed, oil on canvas, 139.5 by 125 cm.; 54⅞ by 49¼ in.. Estimate 21,954 — 36,590 EUR. Lot Sold 89,806 EUR. Photo Sotheby's

Ms. Wen continued: “The top ten selling lots in the Contemporary Ink section points to a diverse and growing interest in ink art among private Asian buyers. Figurative works by established artist Xu Lei and Peng Wei sold above high estimates, as did abstract and highly conceptual works by Liu Guosong and Jiang Ji’an. In addition, the traditional scroll paintings by Qiu Ting, Xue Liang and Lin Haizhong debuting in Sothebys Beijing auctions also achieved great results.” 

Peng Wei (B. 1974), Robe series: Dragon,  marked with one seal of the artist, framed, executed in 2004, ink and colour on paper, 85.7 by 158.8 cm.; 33 3/4  by 62 1/2  in. Estimate 29,272 — 43,908 EUR. Lot Sold 37,995 EUR. Photo Sotheby's

Liu Kuo-Sung (Liu Guosong) (B. 1932), Cascade, signed and dated 1967 in Chinese, and marked with one seal of the artist, framed, ink and colour on paper, 41.5 by 66 cm.; 16 3/8  by 26 in. Estimate 23,418 — 29,272 EUR. Lot Sold 77,717   EUR. Photo Sotheby's

Jiang Ji'An (B. 1967), Scroll, inscribed JJA2013.5 and signed in Chinese, framed, executed in 2013, mixed media on board, 53 by 91 cm.; 20 5/8  by 35 7/8  in. Estimate 36,590 — 51,226 EUR. Lot Sold 89,806 EUR. Photo Sotheby's

Top Lot of the Sale 
By the 1990s, Zao Wou-Ki had acquired a high degree of excellence in terms of skill and technique and had received international recognition for his abstract paintings. In his seventies, he worked in any way he wished, boldly applying lively and unrestrained strokes to large canvases which produced an expressive, rich display of light and colour. 15.2.93 is a work for which Zao drew upon his depth of experience to create something innovative that surpassed all prior works. In this painting, the artist limited his palette to only five colours: purple, yellow, blue, pink and a dark, inky indigo-black. Mingling organically on the canvas, the hues reveal a vast luminescence.