HONG KONG.- Tonight, Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Evening Sale in Hong Kong achieved HK$595,186,500 / US$76,761,203, led by epic masterpieces by David Hockney and Liu Ye.

Yuki Terase, Head of Contemporary Art, Asia of Sotheby’s, said: “Tonight’s results were marked by tremendous successes, not least the second highest price for any Western artwork sold at auction in Asia. Every season our aim is to stage ground-breaking auctions that set new benchmarks for the international market. The strong prices we witnessed across the board for prominent Western and Asian artists, with many works surpassing their high estimates, not only demonstrates our extraordinary market leadership in contemporary art in Asia and the quality of our offerings, but also the thriving importance of Hong Kong as an international art hub. As we have seen time and again, keeping our finger on the pulse of the market, and staying one step ahead of what our clients want, is a winning formula.”

Three Artist Auction Records Set

Lot 1103. Firenze Lai (B. 1984), Happily Ever After, oil on canvas, 100.3 by 80 cm, 39½ by 31½ in. Executed in 2013. Estimate HK$600,000 — 1,200,000. Sold for HK$2,625,000 / US$338,546. Auction Record for the Artist. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Lot 1136. Hao Liang (B. 1983), Poison Buddha 2, ink on silk, image: 162.5 by 90.5 cm, 64 by 35⅝ in.; frame: 220.5 by 132 cm., 86¾ by 52 in. Executed in 2010. Estimate HK$6,000,000 — 10,000,000. Sold for HK$16,975,000 / US$2,189,266. Auction Record for the Artist. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Lot 1148. MR. (B. 1969), True to Myself, Poyo Mix, Append, acrylic on canvas, in 4 parts, each: 291 by 181.8 cm.   114½  by 71½  in., overall: 291 by 727.2 cm.   114½ by 286¼ in. Executed in 2012. Estimate HK$3,200,000 — 4,200,000. Sold for HK$5,215,000 / US$672,579. Auction Record for the Artist. Courtesy Sotheby's.

Top Prices for Any Western Artworks Sold at Auction in Asia – All Sold by Sotheby’s