A contemporary Chinese scroll painting by H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, the highest ranking Buddhist leader, soared to a hammer price of $16,500,000 at Gianguan Auctions New York, breaking the artist’s auction record. The action took place on Sunday, March 22nd during a sale that also featured traditional Buddhist art and splendors of the Qing Dynasty.

“Lot 109, titled “Ink Lotus,” is a vigorous ink-and-color on paper that, at first glance, seems an abstract work created by a blast of wind that has swept up the scroll and left behind sublime trails of black ink overrun with broken strokes and riotous splotches. From the confusion order emerges in the form of pink lotus blossoms that stand pure and elegant. 

The work bears the artist's statement in calligraphy that translates “An utter chaos strewn with broken strokes: a peculiar sight, yet wondrously endowed with a soul-soothing charm”.

“Ink Lotus” was purchased by an American collector. The price quoted does not include buyer’s premium, which was not disclosed.  

H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III was  schooled in the ancient arts of Chinese scholars and has long enjoyed a reputation as a masterful painter.  His works are on view in the International Art Museum of America, Covina, CA. 

That same year, the artist’s “Contemporary Carp” reached the podium at Gianguan Auctions. It brought $330,000. That auction also saw his “Contemporary Cat” reach $230,000. The sale of “Ink Lotus” now firmly places the work of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III at the highest levels of contemporary art. 

On the occasion of the opening of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III’s International Art Museum of America, the US government sent a fleet of historic World War II airplanes to create a cloud cluster above the museum. Congress also passed Resolution No. 6L4  formally using the honorific title of H.H. (His Holiness) for H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III. A year earlier, the Mayor of Washington, DC, proclaimed January 19,2011 H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III Day. The United States Postal Service issued a commemorative envelope in honor of the day.

According to Gianguan Auctions director Mary Ann Lum the buyer of “Ink Lotus” prefers to remain anonymous. Mrs. Lum did, however, state announced that the painting will travel to California, where it will become part of a private collection.

The decision to channel the sale of “Ink Lotus” through Gianguan Auctions is appropriate. Not only is Gianguan Auctions the only Chinese-American owned auction house in New York, its owner, Kwong Lum, also shares international acclaim as an artist. In 2013 Mr. Lum was honored by the Cultural Department of Xinhui in the city of Jiangmen, Guangdong Province. 

For details on “Ink Lotus” as well as Qing Dynasty Buddhist art and sculpture, along with decorative splendors of the Qing Dynasty, in Gianguan Auctions Asia Week sale on March 22, 2015, please visit www.gianguanauctions.com 

`