Guests of the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club will be greeted by a jovial depiction of contemporary Chinese artist Yue Minjun after the installation of a new sculpture.

Warrior No 10 is a bronze piece by the Beijing-based artist who creates art in his own image.

Yue is best known for oil paintings depicting himself laughing in various settings.

The artwork took its place on the front lawn of the hotel yesterday morning, the latest in its vast, world-class collection.

Diarmaid O’Sullivan, the director of sales and marketing at the Hamilton Princess, said: “It’s another sculpture to add to the collection.

“This artist is known for creating artwork in his own image — an expression of himself. The expression on his face looks like he’s waking up with outstretched hands.

“It was selected by the Green family in addition to its location. Every single piece of art in the hotel is curated by the Green family.

“I think those who are perhaps unaware of the art collection in the hotel will be curious as to what it represents and why it is there, but the minute they enter the lobby it will all fit into place.

“It is drawing you into the art. It’s another element to stir conversation and curiosity about art, and the piece itself.”

The sculpture, which stands 38in high and is secured to a concrete base, was created in 2007.

It is number 15 of an edition of 25 and is signed, partially titled and dated.

British auction house Christie’s has the artwork’s realised price listed as $37,800 as of September 2023, with an estimated worth of $50,000 to $70,000.

Saatchi Gallery, a London-based gallery for contemporary art, said of the artist: “Immediately humorous and sympathetic, Yue Minjun’s paintings offer a light-hearted approach to philosophical inquiry and contemplation of existence.

“Drawing connotations to the disparate images of the Laughing Buddha and the inane gap-toothed grin of Alfred E Newman, Yue’s self-portraits have been described by theorist Li Xianting as ‘a self-ironic response to the spiritual vacuum and folly of modern-day China’.

Warrior No 10 accompanies the Princesse des Airs, a custom piece from renowned, French-born sculptor, Sylvestre Gauvrit, which was installed on the hotel’s front lawn in 2021.

Mr O’Sullivan added: “It is not wrapped in ropes you can touch it and take photos of it. This is bringing the arts outside again in terms of engagement with people.”