On 15 March 2020, Henry Butcher Malaysian and Southeast Asian Art Auction recorded RM2.3 million in sales in a rather unconventional fashion.
It was the first time ever in Malaysian art auction history that the entire bidding for the art pieces was conducted with no floor bidding, instead bids were carried out via the phone, online and absentee bids. This was nonetheless a last minute change as the Covid-19 situation in Malaysia was worsening just days before the auction, which led to the government imposing a ban on gathering of more than 250 persons.
“As we usually have a crowd of about 250 to 300 people attending, for the interest of all to ensure the people’s safety and health, we switched plans.This was for the bidders to bid safely from the comfort of their homes while minimising the spread of the Coronavirus,” said Sim Polenn, Director of Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers.
In the pioneering model of the auction,100 artworks were sold, reflecting sustained interest in the high quality artworks among keen collectors in Malaysia and the region.
Top sale of the day was a 1995 masterpiece by Datuk Ibrahim Hussein. Titled Little Things, it was sold at RM403,200.
A classic piece by Yusof Ghani, Siri Tari, from 1993 achieved RM168,000. Ahmad Zakii Anwar’s Red Legong, painted in 2004 achieved RM100,800, making it the third highest sale in the auction.
Khalil Ibrahim’s work recorded RM84,000, followed by Awang Damit Ahmad’s 1993 Tenaga Hidup 1 (from the artist’s most sought after series: Essence Of Culture EOC) which achieved RM78,400.
A magnificent piece by Dato’ Sharifah Fatimah Syed Zubir titled Song Of Songs 5 was sold for RM72,800 while Untitled by Dato’ Sharifah also in 1974, which came all the way back from Austria, achieved RM50,400.
An extremely rare Abdullah Ariff piece titled After The Monsoon Cloudburst was sold at RM67,200.
Collectors also took the opportunity to grab important batik works by Dato’ Chuah Thean Teng (widely known as the Father of Batik Art) and Ismail Mat Hussin. Teng’s Come, Sing To Me achieved RM49,280 and Marketplace sold for RM35,840 while Country Folk concluded at RM29,120. Ismail Mat Hussin’s Fresh From The Sea was sold at RM35,840.
Contemporary artists such as Gan Chin Lee, Zulkifli Yusoff, Ahmad Fuad, Bayu Utomo, Hamir Soib, and Samsudin Wahab did equally well given the change of auction format. Gan Chin Lee’s Frontal Reclining Nude for example achieved RM35,000, Zulkifli Yusoff’s Pahlawan Yang Berani Dari Pasir Salak and Ahmad Fuad’s piece were sold for RM26,880 each.
Bayu Utomo’s Infinity II went home with the collector at RM24,640, Hamir Soib’s Battle Of The Insider achieved RM20,000 and Samsudin Wahab’s The Last Supper at RM23,520.
We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the Supporters (Collectors, Bidders, Consignors, Artists, Partners, Colleagues, Media, and Friends) of Henry Butcher Art Auctioneers (HBAA).
“Things got tougher in March which started off with the political instability that weakened market confidence followed by the oil price war, crash of the share market, escalating Coronavirus confirmed cases, the stagnant property market...it was the most challenging time in recent memories. I’d say we are extremely lucky and blessed to have achieved this encouraging sales results,” said Sim.
“We anticipate more challenging times ahead but HBAA will move forward with faith and one step a day, to present a better art auction in the coming months.”