Cover Florance Yip and Michael Lau at Basquiat’s World at Phillips headquarters in Hong Kong (Photo: Kenneth Kwok)
Florance Yip and Michael Lau at Basquiat’s World at Phillips headquarters in Hong Kong (Photo: Kenneth Kwok)
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On May 27, Phillips auction house brought the chicest partygoers in the city to its headquarters in West Kowloon for a night themed Basquiat’s World
Who? Jonathan Crockett, Yvonne Fong, Antonia Da Cruz, Florance Yip and Michael Lau
When? May 27
Where? Phillips headquarters, West Kowloon
Here’s what you missed:
On Monday, Phillips auction house held Basquiat’s World, an invite-only preview of the pieces set to go under the hammer at its May 31 to June 1 spring sale. Jean-Michel Basquiat’s seminal Native Carrying Some Guns, Bibles, Amorites on Safari (1982), formerly owned by the late art collector Francesco Pellizzi, took centre stage; estimated at HK$90-120 million, it boasts the distinction of having the highest estimated auction price in Phillips’ Hong Kong spring sale. Meanwhile, fresh-to-market works by prominent artists—think Banksy, Gerhard Richter and Yayoi Kusama—were also on view, marking the first time these pieces are up for auction. There were also works by Andy Warhol; the late, great Chinese French painter Zao Wou-ki; and famed South Korean artist Park Seo-bo.
The grand affair was thrown in the Basquiat piece’s honour, but the piece wasn’t the only star of the evening at Phillips. The city’s most discerning crowd showed up in full force for the event: from Florance Yip and Lindsay Jang to Veronica Li and Charmaine Ho. Actor Waris Ahluwalia was in attendance, having flown in from New York to launch his new sparkling drink brand, Love Conquers All, at The Upper House this week. The dress code was Basquiat’s New York: think stylish nonchalance, bold colours and clothing as a canvas.
Basquiat’s World began with a panel discussion with Derek Collins, Phillips’s senior consultant and the dean of liberal arts at the University of Hong Kong, alongside artist Michael Lau. The panel dove into Basquiat’s enduring influence in pop culture, fashion and art. A party featuring the best ’80s tunes, courtesy of Dan Dada, followed, with the beautiful crowd working the room. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Jonathan Crockett at at the Phillips headquarters
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Credits
Photography: Kenneth Kwok
As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision and reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and business leaders to designers. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she curates star-studded events and builds the relationships and communities that define the brand. Born and raised in the Middle East, she honed her craft in Dubai, crafting communication strategies for luxury brands across the Gulf. Follow her on Instagram @tarasobti.
