In March 2018, a painting by National Artist Jose Joya was sold for P112 million at an auction, becoming the most expensive Filipino artwork to date. The record was previously held by an Ang Kiukok oil on canvas masterpiece which fetched P65 million at the same auction house the year before.
On the other hand, art fairs are a different ball game, mainly because prices are fixed. This year’s Art Fair is no exception. With over 50 galleries participating, including international ones, there is no shortage of jaw-dropping pieces with equally astonishing price tags.
Together with the 1% of the population who could afford it, we get a first look at these pieces ahead of the Art Fair opening this weekend at its collector’s preview. Here’s are 10 of the most valuable artworks this year.
“An Unravelling (Conversation Among Ruins, After Amorsolo)” (2019)
Patricia Perez Eustaquio
Silverlens Gallery
Price available upon request
If you look closely at this digitally woven tapestry of cotton and wool, you can see the image of an Amorsolo woman.
P2,000,000
“Duterter Fly”
Alwin Reamillo
YOD Gallery
Consisting of aircraft wing-like pieces, Reamillo’s work made out of old piano parts prominently features the faces of US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jingpin.
“Hope” (2019)
Oca Villamiel
ArtInformal
Price available upon request
It took Villamiel two years to finish this 7-foot art piece made out of his own pet birds’ feathers.
55,000 USD (approx. P2,800,000)
Coffee cup (1988)
Yayoi Kusama
Shukado
Among the multiple works by the Japanese artist on display, this one which is the 47th out of the 50 existing coffee cups.
P2,800,000
“Rooftop in Paris”
Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo
1335Mabini
An undated painting from the archive of the artist’s niece, this impressionist painting depicts the artist’s view from his old residence in France in the late 19th century.
P3,800,000
“Blue Manila Bay” (2018)
Ramon Orlina
Art Verité
This four-piece carved blue glass by Orlina is one of Art Verité’s pieces reflecting on the city of Manila.
P3,900,000
“Gates of Hell”
Anton Del Castillo
Galerie Stephanie
Part of Del Castillo’s solo exhibit entitled “Inferno,” these massive doors made of resin reference Rodin’s “The Gates of Hell.”
P5,200,000
“Hand” (2018)
Lao Lianben
Blanc
This Filipino artist is no stranger when it comes to fetching skyrocketing prices at auctions. His most expensive one to date sold for P7,000,000.
“Desert Blossoms”
Jose Joya
The Crucible
Price available upon request
Finished in four years before Joya’s death, this oil on wood abstract expressionist work by the national artist is easily one of the most expensive ones at this year’s Art Fair.
P30,000,000
“Saeta 258” (1959)
Fernando Zobel
Asian Cultural Council/León Gallery
Measuring 27.5” x 39”, this oil on canvas is part of Zobel’s Saeta Series, which was first exhibited at the pioneering Philippine Art Gallery in 1957.
Read more:
Overheard at Art Fair PH 2019: “It’s very spark joy”
Malang, Fernando Botero, David Medalla, and other artists featured for Art Fair 2019
All the art events happening this week outside of Art Fair Philippines
Writer: CHRISTIAN SAN JOSE
PHOTOGRAPHY TRICIA GUEVARA and SAMANTHA ONG
