Street art greats on show in Hong Kong

AFP photo

From Keith Haring and Basquiat to Banksy and Invader, Sotheby's new exhibition of street art legends in Hong Kong, launched on March 18, taps into a growing appetite among young Asian collectors.

Although auction houses have taken a knock as the China economy slows, the demand for street art in Asia has grown, with Hong Kong hosting an increasing number of exhibitions, sales and events.
 
Last year a mosaic of 1970s American cartoon character Hong Kong Phooey by French artist Invader set a world record for that artist at auction, fetching HK$2 million ($258,000) at Sotheby's in Hong Kong.
 
The popular piece of street art had been destroyed by the city's authorities, infuriating residents, and was later re-made for sale.
 
Although that work went to a European collector, Sotheby's Asia director Isaure de Viel Castel says a more adventurous young local market is driving interest in street art in the region.      

"It's younger collectors (interested in the work)," says Castel.
 
"People here are very adventurous. They've travelled a lot, they live abroad, especially the younger generation. They are craving new art, meeting artists, they absolutely love it."  

She added that the economic slowdown in China had so far not affected sales and that there was demand for street art across the region.    

The new exhibition, entitled "They Would be Kings" is Sotheby's first ever in Asia of street art.
 
It comes ahead of major art show Art Basel, which kicks off in Hong Kong next week, and sees exhibitors and collectors converge on the city.
 
All the works at the Sotheby's show are available for private sale, but prices fetched will not be disclosed and there are no pre-sale...

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