Cover 'White Orchids (Phalaenopsis)' (c 1965) by Georgette Chen, one of the key highlgiht of the Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary Art Auction (Photo: Sotheby's)
'White Orchids (Phalaenopsis)' (c 1965) by Georgette Chen, one of the key highlgiht of the Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary Art Auction (Photo: Sotheby's)
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Sotheby’s stages a live spirits auction, its first-ever in Southeast Asia, alongside a sale of modern and contemporary art in Singapore on June 9
Since its return to Singapore in 2022, Sotheby’s has held live Modern and Contemporary Art auctions here every year. This summer, the international auction house will also stage its first-ever live spirits auction in Southeast Asia, alongside the sale of modern and contemporary art. The two live auctions will be held on June 9, at Conrad Singapore Orchard, with the highlights available for public viewing until auction day.
Led by Filipino artist Anita Magsaysay-Ho’s Paghuhuli Ng Mga Manok (Catching Chickens), the Singapore Modern and Contemporary Art Auction will feature 48 artworks by artists from Southeast Asia and beyond. Other key highlights include the auction debut of first-generation Singaporean artist Georgette Chen’s White Orchids (Phalaenopsis), juxtaposed with Chinese modern master Wu Guanzhong’s Field Chrysanthemums.
There are also significant works by another Singaporean pioneer Cheong Soo Pieng, the region’s iconic modernist artists such as Affandi, Le Pho and Fernando Zóbel, as well as international contemporary artists including Roy Lichtenstein and Jeff Koons.
Meanwhile, collectible Japanese and Scotch whiskies take centre stage at the Fine and Rare Whisky Auction, which features 190 lots with a total combined estimate of SG$1.4 million. Highlights include the Karuizawa 1965 Japonisme for La Maison Du Whisky’s 60th anniversary and Hibiki 35 Years Old Kutani Decanter, as well as the Bowmore Trilogy 1964 set. Singapore has become one of the most flourishing markets for spirits and wine.
These are the first offerings by Sotheby’s in Asia under its new fee structure, which was announced earlier this year.
Here are some of the auction highlights.
“Paghuhuli Ng Mga Manok (Catching Chickens)" (1962) by Anita Magsaysay-Ho
Above 'Paghuhuli Ng Mga Manok (Catching Chickens)' (1962) by Anita Magsaysay-Ho (Photo: Sotheby's)
'Paghuhuli Ng Mga Manok (Catching Chickens)' (1962) by Anita Magsaysay-Ho (Photo: Sotheby's)
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One of the most admired female artists from Southeast Asia, Anita Magsaysay-Ho celebrated women and their shared sisterhood by painting her subjects engaging in domestic activities. Catching Chickens is exceptionally rare, as large-scale paintings by the artist from the 1960s rarely come to market. (Fun fact: Magsaysay-Ho’s self-portrait is currently exhibited at the 60th Venice Biennale.)
“White Orchids (Phalaenopsis)” (c 1965) by Georgette Chen
Above 'White Orchids (Phalaenopsis)' (c 1965) by Georgette Chen (Photo: Sotheby's)
'White Orchids (Phalaenopsis)' (c 1965) by Georgette Chen (Photo: Sotheby's)
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Among Georgette Chen’s still-life paintings, those with orchids as their subject are the most sought-after—and so far only four others have appeared at auction in the past 30 years. White Orchids (Phalaenopsis) was first exhibited at the artist’s largest retrospective mounted during her lifetime in Singapore, at the National Museum Art Gallery in 1985. The painting captures orchids hung in mid-air, their roots exposed through the clay pot. (Fun fact: Like Magsaysay-Ho, Chen’s self-portrait is also currently exhibited at the 60th Venice Biennale.)
Read more: Georgette Chen: 5 things to know about the life and art of the Singapore pioneer artist
“Field Chrysanthemums” (c 1974) by Wu Guanzhong
Above “Field Chrysanthemums” (c 1974) by Wu Guanzhong (Photo: Sotheby's)
“Field Chrysanthemums” (c 1974) by Wu Guanzhong (Photo: Sotheby's)
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A stellar example of Chinese modern master Wu Guanzhong’s outdoor oil paintings from the 1970s, when he travelled around China capturing all of its beauty, this painting was created in 1974, the year he returned to Beijing, reflecting the artist’s optimistic spirit as he captured chrysanthemums growing in abundance.
“Drinking Tuak” (1977) by Affandi
Above 'Drinking Tuak' (1977) by Affandi (Photo: Sotheby's)
'Drinking Tuak' (1977) by Affandi (Photo: Sotheby's)
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Characterised by his expressionism and candid subject matter, this painting by Affandi captures a man dramatically guzzling tuak manis, or sweet rice wine, while clutching his rooster, suggesting an imminent cockfight. A quintessential work from Affandi’s oeuvre, the painting draws viewers into the sensorial experience that is cockfighting.
“Yellow Cliffs (Study)” (1996) by Roy Lichtenstein
Above “Yellow Cliffs (Study)” (1996) by Roy Lichtenstein (Photo: Sotheby's)
“Yellow Cliffs (Study)” (1996) by Roy Lichtenstein (Photo: Sotheby's)
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American pop art pioneer Roy Lichtenstein's celebrated Landscapes in Chinese Style series stems from his half-century-long fascination with classical Chinese art. In 1995, Lichtenstein revisited the landscape genre, creating over 20 pieces featuring motifs of classical landscape painting from the Song dynasty (960-1279). This work is part of the final series of works the artist created before he passed away in 1997.
Hibiki 35 Year Old, Kutani and Arita Ceramic Collection
Above Hibiki 35 Year Old, Kutani and Arita Ceramic Collection (Photo: Sotheby's)
Hibiki 35 Year Old, Kutani and Arita Ceramic Collection (Photo: Sotheby's)
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With only 150 bottles of each decanter made, the Hibiki 35 Year Old is the oldest and most limited Hibiki ever produced, The blend of Japanese whiskies, including malt whisky aged between 35 to 54 years, also contains a significant portion of Mizunara Oak. To celebrate the 400th anniversary of porcelain’s appearance in Japan, Hibiki commissioned renowned ceramic producers in Arita and Kutani in the Japanese island of Kyushu to create the vessels for the liquid gold.
Bowmore 1964 Trilogy
Above Bowmore 1964 Trilogy (Photo: Sotheby's)
Bowmore 1964 Trilogy (Photo: Sotheby's)
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Rarely seen in the market, this legendary set of Bowmore, all 1964 vintage, was released in 2007 and 2008. The set comprises the oloroso sherry cask matured Black Bowmore, the bourbon cask matured White Bowmore, and the Gold Bowmore, which is a mix between both bourbon and oloroso Sherry cask.
As Senior Editor of Tatler Singapore, Hashirin champions and refines the storytelling across platforms—curating and crafting compelling profiles, cover stories and features that spotlight visionaries shaping culture, business and impact. Driven by curiosity, she draws inspiration from the artists, changemakers and trailblazers she encounters through her work. Beyond the pages of Tatler, she is an avid supporter of local theatre and delights in seeking out art in every city she visits.
