Chinese artist Liu Xiaodong's oil painting "New Immigrants at
the Three Gorges" (Sanxia Xin Yimin) set a new record at the
Auction of Contemporary Chinese Artworks when it sold for 22
million yuan (US$2.70 million).
Zhang Lan, boss of the South Beauty Chain Restaurants, was the
highest bidder at the 2006 Poly Autumn Auction on Tuesday at the
Asia Hotel of Beijing.
Liu painted the "New Immigrants" at the Three Gorges in 2004.
There are 11 characters in the 10-metre-long work, including three
children. "This work depicts the construction site at the Three
Gorges, rock fragments from explosion, immigrants wearing various
facial expressions and innocent children," Liu said. "It was done
during the summer, and I was almost blinded by the strong sunshine
after spending a long time facing the canvas under the sun."
The painting started at 6.5 million yuan (US$801,500), and was
bid on by more than 10 buyers.
(China Daily November 23, 2006)