Oil on canvas

80.5 × 100 cm. 31 3/4 × 39 3/8 in.

Singed in English and dated on bottom right
PROVENANCE
27 Jul 2019, SBI Auction Modern & Contemporary Art Auctions, Lot 126
Acquired directly by present Asian collector from the above

From Unpredicted Future to Fulfilling Secular Romance: A Rare Early Collectable by Key Hiraga

Key Hiraga was born in 1936 in Tokyo. Though he majored in economics in university, the artist could not give up on his interest and talent in art which were flowing in her blood. As early as 1957, the only 21-year-old Hiraga was invited to participate in the First Exhibition of Young Artists in Asia that was held in Tokyo, on which occasion he began to make a name for himself. At that time, his style of artwork got its foundation from traditional Japanese painting and artistic culture, and borrowed from theoretical expertise from Western modern art. Hiraga applied the semi-concrete narrative of an entangled composition similar with the classic style of Jean Dubuffet, in response to the abstract expressionism that was popular in the Western world. This practice granted Hiraga the prestige reputation in the art market in Tokyo at that time, as well as giving direct impact to his winning the award in the 3rd Grand Exhibition of International Young Artists that was held in Tokyo in 1964, which later helped him get the funding to leave for France to continue his study in fine arts. Since then, a new star of art began to shine in the Western world. Not only did Hiraga gain the appreciation of William Lieberman, the Chief Curator of MoMA, but also he got his artwork collected by the Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art and Osaka National Museum of Art. The theme throughout his art, the depiction of love, romantic and sexual desire, can also be spotted from his artwork that is done in the early age. Hiraga grew up with his aunt in Morioka City, where his aunt ran a restaurant with Geisha service. This experience left a huge impact on his creation later in his life. The artwork, done in 1961, that is presented here is one of the rare early works of him before his journey to France starting in 1964. Furthermore, among all the artist's work that have appeared in auctions, this one – “Work”, as it titled – is the one of the only two that are known as done in his earliest years.

Lines are an important element in Hiraga's artwork in the 60s. Points, lines and planes move freely in the two-dimensional space, forming complex combinations and entanglements. This unique style gives Hiraga an outstanding fame among his contemporaries. In “Work”, what is implied here is the straight-forward expression this artist has of sex that is commonly seem in his later artwork. The main colour tone is white and blue of various shades. On top of this, what occupies the eyes of the audience is a giant purple butterfly. Expanding its wings in the centre of the space, the butterfly is about to fly freely in the air. Beneath it, there are the obscure outline of a man and a woman, blended in the colour blocks. On the right, there is the woman, lying done on the lake blue background, with her posture so light and gentle that it looks like she is floating in water. On the right, there is the man, lying down on the land with his belly, in search for his lady. The two figures in white depict how one's soul is so tranquil and empty; yet both of the souls still join each other under the flying creature. On the other hand, the shades of blue represent ever-changing and sparkling blocks, gone with water the fragile emotions. All in all, it resembles the unpredicted journey of life, as deep and mysterious as the sea, creating its ripples in the mind of the 25-year-old young artist.

Price estimate:
HKD: 150,000 – 200,000
USD: 19,300 – 25,800

Auction Result:
HKD: 177,000