The Fine Art & Collectibles Sale
Lot 45:
Description
Signed (lower right and verso)
Image Dimensions: 28 3/8 x 36 in (72 x 91.5 cm)
This lot is accompanied by a consignor-provided COA or related documentation, offered as received.
Lee Ufan, a central figure of the Mono-ha movement, developed a philosophical approach to painting that emphasizes presence, repetition, and the relationship between mark and void. His works are less about representation and more about the encounter between gesture, space, and perception.
This composition presents a structured grid field punctuated by repeated blue rectangular marks. The surface is organized with precision, yet the individual marks retain subtle variations, revealing the human hand within a system of repetition.
The composition is governed by rhythm and interval. The grid provides a stable framework, while the blue marks appear in measured sequences, creating a visual cadence across the surface. The spacing between marks is as significant as the marks themselves.
Color is restrained and deliberate. The soft, neutral ground contrasts with the vivid blue accents, allowing each mark to emerge with clarity. The limited palette reinforces the meditative quality of the work.
Lee Ufan’s technique is minimal yet deeply intentional. Each mark appears to be applied with controlled pressure, often fading or varying in density. This modulation introduces a temporal dimension, suggesting the act of painting unfolding over time.
The work emphasizes the relationship between presence and absence. The painted marks occupy the space, while the unpainted areas create breathing room, establishing a balance between material and emptiness.
The repetition is not mechanical but contemplative. Slight inconsistencies in form and intensity prevent uniformity, maintaining a sense of vitality within the structure.
Lee Ufan’s works are held in major institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum, the Centre Pompidou, and the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo. His paintings from the 1970s are particularly significant, representing the maturity of his conceptual language.
In a spatial context, this composition offers quiet strength. Its restrained structure and subtle variation allow it to integrate seamlessly into refined contemporary environments while maintaining a strong conceptual presence.
Ultimately, this work exemplifies Lee Ufan’s philosophy of painting as a dialogue between mark and space, where repetition, restraint, and variation converge into a contemplative visual experience.
Condition: ALL PROPERTY IS SOLD AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH NO RETURNS OR CANCELLATIONS.
Additional photographs and condition reports may be provided upon request as a courtesy only. Any condition report, catalogue description, image, certificate, report, document, authentication statement, authentication opinion, specialist opinion, or communication regarding origin, date, age, attribution, authenticity, authorship, signature, condition, provenance, or value is an opinion only and not a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Yakon Auctions.
The absence of reference to defects, restoration, wear, damage, handling marks, conservation, alteration, or repair does not mean the lot is free from such matters. Photographs are for reference only and may not accurately reflect color, tone, dimensions, condition, signature details, or the true state of the lot. Buyers should review all images carefully, as they form part of the description.
Provenance is provided by the consignor, prior owner, or most recent owner and may not be supported by records. All reports, COAs, appraisals, authentication letters, provenance statements, invoices, labels, or related documents, including any opinions, analyses, or conclusions therein, are provided as received from the consignor, prior owner, or third party, and have not been independently verified by Yakon Auctions. Such materials are for reference only and are not guarantees of authenticity, authorship, signature, origin, age, period, provenance, condition, or value.
All artworks, antiques, collectibles, autographed items, signed memorabilia, music memorabilia, records, photographs, posters, entertainment collectibles, and related items are offered based on information and documentation provided with the lot. Unless expressly stated, Yakon Auctions has not independently authenticated any signature, inscription, attribution, authorship, association, provenance, pressing detail, edition, period, origin, or related documentation.
Terms such as "attributed to, " "after, " "manner of, " "circle of, " "school of, " "in the artist’s style, " or similar language mean the lot is not guaranteed to be by the named artist, maker, signer, studio, or period. Exact authorship, origin, attribution, or date may be unknown, and the lot may not be included in any official catalogue raisonné, archive, registry, or recognized reference source.
Yakon Auctions makes no express or implied warranties or guarantees regarding authenticity, authorship, signature, origin, age, period, condition, provenance, attribution, description, value, or marketability. Buyers are responsible for due diligence and should seek independent expert advice before bidding.
No return, refund, cancellation, or bid retraction will be accepted based on disputes regarding authenticity, attribution, authorship, signature, condition, provenance, description, estimated value, market value, or buyer’s post-sale opinion.
Original invoices, reports, certificates, or documents shown in listings will be included only if all items listed on that document are purchased. If only part of the document relates to the purchased lot, a digital copy may be provided upon request at Yakon Auctions’ discretion.
Please bid responsibly. If you do not agree with auction sale principles, the "as is" nature of the property, or the binding nature of bidding, please do not bid.
For inquiries, please contact Support@yakonauctions.com.
Share this lot:
