Celebrity Life

Born in Hagersville, Ontario, Canada on September 12th 1952, Neil Ellwood Peart OC was a Canadian drummer, musician, author and songwriter. Peart was best known [...]

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Winston Churchill’s painted still life of his favourite whiskey is up for auction.

The post Winston Churchill’s whisky painting goes on sale appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

Winston Churchill’s painted still life of his favourite whiskey is up for auction.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

Winston Churchill’s painted still life of his favourite whiskey is up for auction.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

The painter's Abstraktes Bild (649-2) painting recently sold for US$27.7 million at Sotheby's "Contemporary Art" sale.

The post German artist Gerhard Richter shakes up the auction market in Asia appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

The painter's Abstraktes Bild (649-2) painting recently sold for US$27.7 million at Sotheby's "Contemporary Art" sale.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

A series of items once owned by the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, are set to go under the hammer on October 23 in an online sale held by the Guernsey's auction house.

The "Treasures Once Owned by Michael Jackson" sale offers fans and art enthusiasts a collection of 80 lots, including artworks that once adorned Neverland, the late singer's vast Californian ranch and private theme park.

Highlights include bronze sculptures, malachite candelabras and the Jackson 5's first contract with Steeltown Records, signed by Joseph Jackson.

[caption id="attachment_211358" align="alignnone" width="1024"] A Peter Pan bronze sculpture, which used to be displayed in Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch. (Image: Guernsey's Auctions)[/caption]

Items in the sale include a bronze statue of Peter Pan and a wooden model of Captain Hook's ship, both estimated to fetch US$30,000 to US$40,000. The latter was gifted to Michael Jackson by the actress Elizabeth Taylor.

Art enthusiasts will also be able to bid for a rare bronze cast of "Gloria Victis" by the French sculptor and painter, Antonin Mercié, estimated to fetch US$75,000 to US$85,000. Other casts of the 1874 statue are currently in collections held by New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.

[caption id="attachment_211357" align="aligncenter" width="820"] The Jackson 5's first label contract. (Image: Guernsey's Auctions)[/caption]

The "Treasures Once Owned by Michael Jackson" auction also includes collector's items and memorabilia from the King of Pop's vast musical career, such as the first contract between the Jackson 5 band and the Steeltown Records label. This historic document, signed by Joe Jackson, is expected to fetch US$50,000 to US$100,000. Similarly, an acetate disc of the Jackson 5's first singles could sell for US$10,000 to US$20,000.

According to Artnet News, certain lots in the auction were consigned by Richard LaPointe, who acquired them following a lengthy legal battle with Julien's Auctions and the Jackson estate. The collector, based in Quebec, Canada, had bid on various objects belonging to Michael Jackson that Julien's Auctions planned to sell between April 22 and 25, 2009.

[caption id="attachment_211356" align="aligncenter" width="612"] The Jackson 5's first acetate pressing of singles. (Image: Guernsey's Auctions)[/caption]

This major sale — which could have fetched between US$15 and US$20 million at Julien's Auctions — was ultimately cancelled at the last minute on the request of Michael Jackson's production company, MJJ Productions.

"Now, more than a decade later, the collector has decided to share Michael's cherished items with the world
and give fans the chance to own a piece of the King of Pop's legacy," said Guernsey's Auctions in a press release.

(All images: Guernsey's Auctions)

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A series of items once owned by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, are set to go under the hammer, October 23, in an online sale held by the Guernsey's auction house.

The post Michael Jackson’s art collection heads under the hammer appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

A series of items once owned by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, are set to go under the hammer, October 23, in an online sale held by the Guernsey's auction house.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

By now, your bosses and colleagues have probably seen more of your abode than you would've ever expected to show them.

With many of us working from home these days, meetings held over video conferencing apps the likes of Zoom and Microsoft Teams have become the new normal. Inevitably, this means letting colleagues into our residences — albeit virtually — and having them catch glimpses of it via our backdrop. Depending on where your workspace is located, this view could range from a boring blank wall to windows or cluttered bookshelves.

Your makeshift office may not be the most glamorous, but there are several easy interior design tricks that you can employ to quickly jazz up the background of your Zoom calls.

Textiles and cushions

If your workstation of choice is the couch or bed, all it takes is a few snazzy throw pillows wrapped in eye-catching fabrics and prints to provide visual interest in the space behind you. Consider dressing your cushions in the Armani/Casa Exclusive Textiles by Rubelli collection, which is inspired by modern art — specifically works by Henri Matisse, Vasilij Kandinskij and Paul Klee.

It showcases striking colour blocks embellished with embroideries, ikat details and intertwined motifs. These are available in various patterns and shades ranging from pastel to neutral hues. More details here.

Houseplants and greenery

Adding houseplants to your home office will help the space look less spartan and bland. Smaller plants like cacti, succulents and spider plants can be displayed on shelves or tables, while larger ones such as philodendrons, snake plants and ZZ plant (Zanzibar Gem) can be placed on the floor to break the monotony of blank walls.

Online plant retailer Flora Houses offers a wide variety of houseplants that will thrive indoors and are generally low-maintenance. Its range includes Japanese fir, fiddle leaf fig and Bird of Paradise. The store provides free doorstep delivery with a minimum spend.

Artworks and paintings

Perhaps houseplants may seem like too much of a commitment, or you simply don't have green fingers. This is where paintings and art pieces make an easier alternative. You can simply hang a couple of them on the wall that constantly forms your video call backdrop.

An Andy Warhol or Basquiat will certainly impress your co-workers, but your art doesn't necessarily have to be expensive or by big name artists. Consider procuring artworks instead from indie galleries such as Odd One Out, which boasts an array of creations by local and international printmakers and illustrators. We can't take our eyes off the above acrylic painting by Micke Lindebergh, which is titled 'Small Yellow Flower Pot' and features colourful blooms accented by quirky squiggles and bright hues.

Statement ornaments and furniture

Inject a dose of quirk into your meeting setup by peppering your background with assorted decorative items and statement furniture pieces. These can be anything from figurines to colourful tiles and dramatic room dividers.

Our go-to is Lala Curio, which is a whimsical wonderland of objets d'art such as brass monkey sculptures, cloisonné birds, and, one of our favourites — an adorable trio of cranes adorned with rock crystal feathers and perched on crystal balls.

Wallpaper

Why settle for one specially curated work area, when you can turn your whole room into an Instagram-worthy space? Wallpaper is a bold and easy solution — if every wall in your room is clad in beautiful prints, you can essentially park yourself in any corner and still have an envy-inducing Zoom backdrop.

Designer wallpaper has seen a resurgence in recent years, and we're obsessed with Christian Lacroix's exquisite Oiseau Fleur vinyl wallpaper, which depicts vibrant botanical and bird motifs against a silk effect embossed base. It comes in two colourways of pink and grey.

(Main image: Brina Blum/ Unsplash; Featured image: Christian Lacroix)

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Coravin, the wine lover's dream device that lets you pour wine without uncorking, is back with brand new models.

As fans of the smart wine preservation system, we have observed Coravin for some time and seen the brand expand with new technology every year. Now, they have extended their product lineup with the launch of new systems -- Models Three and Six. What's more, all new and existing models have been equipped with SmartClamps™, which, prior to the launch, was only available on Model Eleven. The new easy-on and easy-off clamps are designed to go over the neck of the bottle and push down firmly on the handle in one fluid motion, making the system even easier to use.

Coravin's wine access technology is all down to the hollow needle that is inserted through the cork, before the system pressurises the bottle with Argon (an inert, colourless and odourless) gas, to pour the wine out. Once poured, and the Coravin is taken off the bottle, the cork reseals naturally -- allowing wine to stay fresh for months on end, and years if needed.

The new systems also comes with a Coravin Screw Cap which allows users to enjoy new world wine (with screw caps) the same way as old world wine (cork) bottles, preserving them for up to three months.

So, with four Coravin Models in total, Model Three, Five, Six and Eleven, which model is the right one for you? Well, let's find out shall we.

Coravin Model Three

Details: Model Three is an upgraded version of Coravin's Model One and features a clean and simple, user-friendly and functional design in matte texture.
Perfect for: the everyday wine drinker.
Price: HK$2,080

Coravin Model Five

Details: Model Five is not available for retail as it has been made specifically for trade. The design is simply elegant but durable.
Perfect for: those in the industry who favour classic design with metallic accents.
Price: email for trade price

Coravin Model Six

Details: Model Six is the upgraded version of the popular Model Two Elite edition, it also features vibrant colours with chrome accents.
Perfect for: luxury style and fashion lovers.
Price: HK$3,580

Coravin Model Eleven

Details: Model Eleven is the smartest device of the Coravin family. It is the first bluetooth connected and fully automatic system. It comes with LED display, glass pour optimisation, and connection to the Coravin Moments app, which tracks system statistics and advises on wine pairings with food, music and more.
Perfect for: technology and gadget enthusiasts who love a varied wine experience.
Price: HK$6,880

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