Jonathan Crockett
Chairman, Asia, Phillips
Top auctioneer Jonathan Crockett is responsible for spearheading Phillips' growth across key markets in Asia
Jonathan Crockett is chairman for Asia at Phillips. Since joining the company in 2016, Crockett has spearheaded its growth, establishing the Phillips regional headquarters in Hong Kong, as well as the expansion of the company across Asia. He continues to lead Phillips in further expanding its footprint in Asia as the company enters a new era in the region; in March 2023 the company opened a spectacular new Asia headquarters in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District in the WKCDA Tower, which was designed by Herzog & de Meuron and LAAB Architects. With this, Phillips has become the first auction house in Hong Kong to have a permanent purpose-built exhibition space and saleroom, allowing for year-round events and auctions in its own space.
As a seasoned auctioneer, Crockett has overseen major sales and under his guidance, a number of important world auction records for artists have been made, including those for George Condo, Christine Ay Tjoe, Matthew Wong, Salman Toor, Lucy Bull and Javier Calleja. In 2023, Yoshitomo Nara’s “Lookin' for a Treasure” sold for HK$84 million/ US$11 million, marking the second-highest priced contemporary artwork sold in Hong Kong in the Spring 2023 season. Other notable highlights include consigning Peter Doig’s “Rosedale”, which sold for US$29 million, setting a world record for any living British artist.
“Nothing beats those exciting, high-octane moments in an evening auction, particularly when two determined bidders go head-to-head and decide that they must win a lot at whatever cost. Fireworks happen, with people sometimes jumping multiple bid increments. It’s something that always gets the adrenaline pumping.”
Did You Know?
Prior to joining Phillips, Jonathan Crockett worked for Sotheby’s in London. From 2009 to 2013, he ran his own art advisory business in Hong Kong, working with individual collectors, auction houses and galleries. He is an active sportsman and has represented Great Britain in both rowing and skiing.
