Christie’s hones Japan and Korea strategy

After the successful sales of Japanese and Korean art during Asian Art Week this March, Christie’s has announced that its Japanese and Korean art department will focus on tightly curated theme sales, both online and at auction in New York and London, as well as continue with private sales.

In addition, Christie’s online-only sales will launch a number of auctions, starting in June with a sale titled “Arts of the Meiji: Magnificent Craftsmanship of Imperial Japan,” which celebrates exceptional works of art made by Imperial Household artists during the Meiji period.

Additional planned sales will include, during Frieze Week in London, a second curated live auction of Japanese art “asobi” (which translates as “playing”), celebrating the joie de vivre that runs through Japanese culture.

In December, Christie’s will hold a major themed sale  “At the Candle” that celebrates the 400th anniversary of the first auction of Japanese art in England and also four centuries of trade between Japan and Britain, and in the Spring of 2015,  a sale celebrating American interest in Japan, “An Inquiring Mind: The American Collecting of Japanese Art.”

To support Christie’s activities in Japan and Korea, several key appointments have been made: Katsura Yamaguchi has been appointed International director, Asian Art, Japan, in addition to his responsibilities as international director, Japanese & Korean Art, and will be based in New York. Mark Hinton has been appointed international director, Japanese Art, while continuing as international specialist head.

Takaaki Murakami and Anastasia von Siebold are appointed Head of Sales, Americas, and Head of Sales, Europe, respectively; and for Korean Art, Heakyum Kim, VP, senior specialist, will focus on private sales and explore opportunities for inclusion in themed or online-only sales.