Crayon on paper

36 × 26.2 cm. × 5 14 1/8 × 10 1/4 in.× 5

Each signed in English and dated on the reverse
PROVENANCE
27 May 2018, Christie's Hong Kong Spring Auction, Lot 491
Acquired directly by present private Asian collector from the above

Life Brightens as We Leap Into the Neon Rainbow Lights
A Rare Set of Five Pieces, Untitled by Atsuko Tanaka

Born in 1932, Osaka, Japan, Atsuko Tanaka was one of the first female artists to peak in a male-dominated Japanese art scene in the 20th century. She joined the famous Gutai Art Association in 1955 and was one of the pioneers along Kazuo Shiraha. Since her early journey, she has challenged the boundaries of traditional art through painting, performance and installation. Her works have been exhibited at the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, and in renowned institutional collections, such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo.

In 1956, Atsuko Tanaka displayed an outstanding and shocking artwork. Titled Electric Suit, it is a performance artwork that can be worn. Consisting of 100 light tubes and 80 colourful light bulbs, the artwork was part of the Concrete Art on Stage exhibition. This bold performance made her an instant highlight in the industry. After this performance, she began a series of paintings composed of abstract lines and dots. Indeed, Untitled not only embodies the artist's half-century-long commitment to her iconic vocabulary, it is also a rare group of five works, to which Untitled is one of only three groups of five works seen in auction.

A Dreamy and Sparkling Light of Courage

Composed of five sheets of paper, Untitled portrays circular forms in a tight rectangular composition. In bright orange-red, yellow, green, blue-violet shades, as well as a rainbowed colour formation, the harmonious circles are tightly grouped together like neon light bulbs flickering. Crayon strokes illustrate a sense of movement, like stars in the sky spinning and in motion. Meanwhile, loose but general abstract lines are derived from imagery of light bulbs. In a compact structure, each light bulb is closely connected, and mimics the closeness of network and universal elements that groups all things in one umbrella.

Tanaka's intention is to reflect spirituality and radiance of a colourful modern alife. The kaleidoscope of colours in Untitled represents a range of emotional experiences.She uses colourful circles and lines to illuminate her own stage, and encourages the audience to dance their way to a brighter and more radiant life.

Price estimate:
HKD: 250,000 – 350,000
USD: 31,900 - 44,700

Auction Result:
HKD: 300,000