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Zao Wou-ki (1921-2013) has long been regarded as one of China’s pre-eminent modern artists whose massive masterpieces are only dwarfed by the huge prices they command (<a href="//www.gafencushop.com/zao-wou-ki/">read more here</a>).
Now, one particular item from the grandmaster’s oeuvre – Juin-Octobre 1985 – created quite a buzz when it came up for auction at Sotheby’s Modern Art Evening Sale, with its eventual price estimated to be around US$44 million. It ultimately went on to set new auction records by getting sold for US$65 million.&nbsp;
<figure id="attachment_40253" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-40253" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-40253" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design.jpg" alt="Zao Wou-Ki" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-40253" class="wp-caption-text">Zao Wou-Ki, Juin-Octobre 1985</figcaption></figure>
Constructed as a three-panelled triptych – a format greatly favoured by Zao – the central canvas measures a whopping 280cm x 400cm, and is flanked by two further 280cm x 300cm panels. Commissioned by the renowned architect IM Pei – a lifelong friend of Zao’s – it hung in Singapore’s Raffles City complex until 2005, when it was auctioned by Christie’s, with the winning bid said to be in the region of HK$18 million.
<figure id="attachment_40254" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-40254" style="width: 700px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-40254" src="//www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-2.jpg" alt="Zao Wou-Ki" width="700" height="466" srcset="https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-2.jpg 700w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-2-200x133.jpg 200w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-2-421x280.jpg 421w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-2-120x80.jpg 120w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-2-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-2-400x266.jpg 400w, https://www.gafencushop.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Untitled-design-2-600x399.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-40254" class="wp-caption-text">Installation view of Zao Wou-Ki’s triptych Juin-Octobre 1985 at Raffles City, Singapore</figcaption></figure>
Putting the artist’s work into perspective, Vinci Chang, Sotheby’s Head of Modern Asian Art, said: “Zao’s paintings are held in the same regard as those of Western masters. As a consequence, we are deeply honoured to be able to present Juin-Octobre 1985, the largest painting in the artist’s oeuvre and without a doubt, a singular masterpiece and one of unparalleled importance.”
With the value of his paintings set to soar even higher as the posthumous reputation of Zao Wou-Ki continues to build, his works seem to offer that rarest combination – aesthetic delight and escalating investment value.
&nbsp;Text: Tenzing Thondup

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Juin-Octobre 1985 by Zao Wou-ki broke all records at recent auction