Blue-chip artists headline Christie’s Hong Kong sales in late September

Christie’s is set to present a selection of Modern and contemporary art at its 20th- and 21st-century marquee auctions in Hong Kong on 29 and 30 September 2026. The sales will feature major works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Yayoi Kusama, and Zao Wou-Ki, each representing significant moments in their artistic careers.

A highlight of the auction is a mixed-media work by Jean-Michel Basquiat. This piece combines acrylic, oilstick, and Xerox paper collage on canvas. It features one of Basquiat’s most enduring motifs: a human skull. The use of these materials and the skull motif are characteristic of Basquiat’s approach to art, blending different media and iconography.

Yayoi Kusama’s work in the auction is a large-scale canvas depicting one of her signature pumpkins. The pumpkin is rendered in yellow with black polka dots, set against a prismatic Infinity Net backdrop. Kusama, who passed away in August 2026 at age 97, created pumpkins throughout her career, both on canvas and as large-scale sculptures. She praised pumpkins for their “generous unpretentiousness.”

Zao Wou-Ki’s painting included in the sale comes from his celebrated ‘Oracle Bone’ period. During this time, Zao was inspired to transform ancient Chinese scripts into abstract compositions. The title of the painting refers to the Milky Way, and its abstract forms meld elements of calligraphy and astronomy, reflecting Zao’s interest in both traditions.

Another notable work from Zao Wou-Ki is the only snow scene from his Snow Landscape series to use an autumnal colour palette. This painting features a flowing configuration of aqueous yellows, saturated reds, and faded greens, making it seasonally appropriate for a late-September auction.

The collection also includes a two-metre-wide composition dominated by an expansive, deep-blue area. This area is evocative of abstract masters such as Yves Klein and Mark Rothko, while the composition is framed by figurative details. The interplay between abstraction and figuration is a notable aspect of the work.

These works collectively represent a diverse range of artistic approaches and periods. The auction’s focus on major pieces by Basquiat, Kusama, and Zao Wou-Ki highlights the breadth of Modern and contemporary art being offered at Christie’s Hong Kong sales in September 2026.