ZHONG CHENG

Zhong Cheng 2024 Autumn Auction「Modern And Contemporary Art」

  • Zhong Cheng 2015 Autumn Auction「Morden And Contemporary Art」
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    GEORGE CHANN (1913-1995)

    Abstract Composition

    1965-1970

    Oil on Canvas
    173x181.3cm

    Signed GEO.CHANN in Englich

    Estimate TWD 4,800,000-7,500,000
    USD 148,600-232,200
    HKD 0-0

    Hammer Price TWD 12,000,000
    USD 364,853
    HKD 2,810,304

Provenance：

Illustrated：

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Exposition：

George Chann was born in Guangdong Province, China in 1913. He moved to the United States with his father during his teenage years. In 1934, he studied sketch and oil painting with a full scholarship at Otis Institute of Art in Los Angeles, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. His understanding in western art is profound. In the 1940s, his realistic grassroots portraits were recognized by Roland J. McKinney, Art Director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and started holding solo exhibitions in renowned museums and galleries in the United States with wide acclaims. San Francisco Chronicle remarked in 1942 that George Chann’s portraits of adults and children are impeccable. He fully depicted the contemplation, poignancy and longing from the models. It brought Chann to the first height of his career. 

1947 was a significant year. George Chann returned to China for the first time after being away for 21 years as the visiting instructor at Lingnan University in Guangdond. It was during this time that he befriended Chao Shao-An and Huang Jun-Bi, which led him deeper into the traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy. Chann was prolific in the following 3 years with exhibitions at Shanghai, Quangzhou and Hong Kong. His style took a drastic turn after his trip to the United States, assimilating Chinese calligraphy with profound cultural and philosophical nuances. Abstract Expressionism, which peaked in the United States in the 1950s, influenced him greatly. He admires the iconic figures, Jackson Pollack and Mark Tobey, whose bold lines with powerful momentum brought fresh impact. Since then, Chann’s style changed completely. He explored the essence of the traditional bronze inscriptions and stone rubbings, and created his own style – Chinese Abstract. The quintessence of traditional Chinese calligraphy, the concept of xieyi, transformed in his hands into splendid, mysterious and expressive paintings, however, in the most avant-garde style – Abstract Expressionism. 

In 1951, Los Angeles James Vigeveno gallery hosted the exhibition Small Painting by French & American Masters where George Chann displayed his artworks alongside world-class artists such as Van Gogh, Renoir, Chagall and many more. His works are currently in the permanent collections of various museums such as the Shanghai Art Museum and San Diego Museum of Art. Executive Director Li Xiangyang of Shanghai Art Museum once said: “Looking back over the past one hundred years in ancient Chinese art history, we always remember those pioneers who studied in Europe, yet we do not know much about the pathfinders in North America. George Chann should be considered an achieved contemporary art trailblazer.”

This painting, Abstract Composition, was created between 1965 and 1970, a period during which Chann’s creative energy peaked, and his style fully developed. Bold ink black lines roam the large canvas, set forth the sturdy textures of rusty bronze and weathered stone tablet rubbing. During this period, Chann abandoned the element of writing from his earlier stages, and had no intention to concretely present the meanings and characters of the tablet rubbings; instead, he emphasized the secrets hidden within the structure of patterns. Gorgeous colors dance and clamor among all kinds of rhythmic components, loose, dense, hard, or soft, are all interweave with one another. Such ancient and primitive red illuminates the long history of China like burning torches, creating a nostalgic space presenting a solemn, tranquil, refined, and prudent atmosphere. The green and yellow of various shades, on the other hand, narrate the tender humbleness of the Oriental culture, grievance for the lost ancient civilization though a variation of nostalgia. 

The spontaneous rhythm of lines seem to be performing a wild continuous dances on the canvas; similar to the outburst of George’s nostalgic affection after years of living overseas in the United States. His emotions transition from time to time between intense fiery reminisce to desolate coldness. Chann transforms his intense sentimentality for the Chinese culture into vibrant, robust brushstrokes and vividly rich colors. He injects them into lines with subtle and delicate changes, showcasing the magnificence of art by displaying the Oriental mystery and profound philosophy of the universe. The ink motions are full of twists and turns, with attachment to emotions encompassed within calligraphy rubbings silently appearing in the painting. Through Abstract Composition, we are given an opportunity to witness how George Chann absorbs the essence of Western painting, while paying tribute to the Oriental spirit through abstract art. With paintbrush of Western abstract expressionism, Chann exhibits the arcane mysteriousness and embracive righteousness of the Chinese culture.

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