The maiden auction, including works from renowned Malaysian artists such as Datuk Ibrahim Hussein, targets to achieve RM1 million in sales
Auction house Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers Sdn Bhd will call for its first bid from registered Malaysian bidders for close to 60 artworks on August 8.
The maiden auction will include works from renowned Malaysian artists such as Datuk Ibrahim Hussein and Chuah Thean Teng.
“Our target is to achieve RM1 million in sales during our maiden auction,” Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers project manager Lee Mei Young told Business Times in a telephone interview.
She said the company was also promoting the maiden Malaysian auction to Singaporean art enthusiasts.
“Since its our first auction, we are looking at Singapore only. Maybe the following year we will look at promoting the auction to other parts in Southeast Asia to get more overseas buyers,” she said, adding that the art auction will be held once every year.
Lee said the maiden auction will be open to the public and will be held at an auditorium in Wisma Bentley Music in Mutiara Damansara and is jointly organised by Brand Laureate.
The auction house is a subsidiary of Henry Butcher Malaysia, an international asset consultant.
On the art pieces for the maiden auction, Lee said it was chosen by several collectors, gallery owners and even artists.
“The idea to create an auction house was mooted after it was learnt that there was a growing number of Malaysians who are now very much into art as an investment.
“Besides that, it was also to give Malaysian artists a platform to showcase their works as only a small percentage of five to six Malaysian artists ever make the cut to international-known auction houses such as Christie’s and Sotheby’s, the two most famous global company that engages in art auction, private sales and art-related financing activities.”
Lee said that interested auctioneers must register to bid, while telephone bidders, a service provided to overseas buyers, had to register several days in advance.
“This is so that we can verify their identities before allowing them to participate in the auction to ensure that they are genuine buyers,” she added.
Malaysian artists are welcoming the move for the first-ever auction house, saying that it was about time.
“Right now, most Malaysian artists’ artworks are auctioned in Singapore,” artist Sivarajah Natarajan said.
“There is a lot of interest shown by art collectors in Southeast Asian art because not only is it unique, it’s also not as overly priced as European art,” he added.
Two Cockerals and a Hen, C. 1990, Dato Chuah Thean Teng (b. China 1914 d. Penang 2008) Batik Painting, 88.5cm x 88.5cm, Signed, Private Collection, Edinburgh, UK, acquired from Yahong Art Gallery. Estimate RM90,000 – RM100,000
The Dream, 1969, Datuk Ibrahim Hussein (Kedah, 1936-2009) Acrylic on Canvas, 121cm x 121cm, Signed, Private Collection acquired through Cheffins UK. Estimate RM300,000 – RM400,000.
Source: btimes
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