Local Painting Expected To Break World Auction Record

KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 (Bernama) -- One of the finest and most significant work of the country's iconic artist, Ibrahim Hussein, entitled Red, Orange and Core is expected to break world auction records, as well as that of other Malaysian artists to date, when it goes under the hammer at the third installment of the Henry Butcher Art Auction. Standing 6.5 feet tall and nine feet wide, the octagonal painting shape engulfs the viewer with its monumentality where fluid lines of soft pastel hues interweave with one another at all directions, engaging the viewer in a continuous journey of visual rhythm. Embodying the central motif of the human figure, executed in the hallmark Ibrahim lines, Red, Orange and Core is an unrivalled pictorial masterpiece which represents the artist at his best and set to break the one million price mark of the auction. Henry Butcher Malaysia Group Chairman, Kamal Hashim said following the success of last year's auction, which grossed over RM3.17 million (US$1.19 million) with 94 percent success rate by lot, the forthcoming sale of Malaysian art will offer a unique selection of 86 exceptional work by established Malaysian artists. "This is the third consecutive year that Henry Butcher is organising the Art Auction, a Malaysian bred initiative, and we believe we are slowly but steadily moving closer to establishing an open and transparent platform for the trading of Malaysian artwork in the existing local art market," he said at the launch of the 2012 Art Auction Malaysia here, Monday. Kamal said photography, sculpture and Chinese ink sections would also be making their debut in the auction scheduled to be held at the White Box, MAP at Publika Shopping Gallery, Dutamas on May 6. "The full viewing of 86 works opened to the public last Saturday and will remain open until May 5 from 11am to 7pm at the White Box, MAP at Publika Shopping Gallery. Admission is free," he said. -- BERNAMA