▲ Kim Whanki’s 1971 work ’19-VI-71 #206′
The frontline-dot painting by Kim Whanki (1913-1974), a pioneer of Korean abstract art, has recorded the second-highest price in the history of Korean contemporary art auctions.
Kim Whanki’s 1971 frontline-dot painting ’19-VI-71 #206′ was sold for $8.4 million (approximately 12.316 billion KRW) at Christie’s New York ’20th Century Evening Sale’ on the 17th (local time) in New York, USA.
The work was auctioned with an expected price range of 110 to 146.6 billion KRW (7.5 to 10 million USD) and was sold at the mid-range of the estimated price.
Including the buyer’s premium, the price is $10.295 million (approximately 15.1 billion KRW).
This is the second most expensive price following Kim Whanki’s ‘Universe’ (05-IV-71 #200), which was sold for approximately 13.2 billion KRW (including fees, 15.3 billion KRW) at a Hong Kong auction in 2019, setting the highest record for a Korean art auction.
The work ’19-VI-71 #206′ measures 254 cm wide and 203 cm tall, and features dots expanding in a radial form across the canvas, expressing a sense of infinite space as if expanding into the universe.
The emerald band at the bottom is painted in a deeper shade compared to the upper part, creating a mysterious and transcendental atmosphere.
Christie’s noted that there are fewer than 30 works from this period that are size 200 (259.1 cm wide and 193.9 cm tall) or larger, making this a highly rare piece.
(Photo provided by Christie’s Korea, Yonhap News)