2009
Watercolor on Paper
66 x 101 cm
Signed Wou-Ki in Chinese and ZAO in English
Estimate TWD 9,000,000-15,000,000
USD 295,300-492,100
HKD 0-0
Hammer Price TWD 9,000,000
USD 295,761
HKD 2,380,952
Provenance：1. Christie\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Asian 20th Century & Contemporary Art, Hong Kong, November 24th, 2013 2. Private Collection, Asia
Illustrated：
Exhibition：
Exposition：
Zao Wou-Ki born in Beijing, China, he graduated from Hangzhou National College of Art mentored by Wu Da-Yu and Principal Lin Feng-Mian. Lin eagerly encouraged his students to pursuit further artistic education in France. Thus, in 1948 Zao and his wife Xie Jinglan arrived in Paris, where they became friends with many like-minded artists. His career took off in 1959, when he held a solo exhibition at the Kootz gallery New York. By the 70s, he was acclaim as the most talented Chinese-French artist of his time. Later in 1981, his paintings were shown and acquired by the Galeries Nationals du Grand Palais. In 2002, He was also awarded the Commandeur de la lgiond Honneur and also elected as the honorable member of the Acadmie Francaise. Today, his artworks are acquired by international museums and many important private collections. In the 90s his paintings were largely exhibited in different parts of Asia including Taiwan. In 1998 the Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication arranged his Retrospective Toured Exhibition that took place in three important museums within China. His paintings inherited Chinese traditional connotation and essence of calligraphy and ink painting. He introduced Chinese atmosphere through western scope, the groundbreaking artistic style is unbound by culture or time. Today, he is celebrated as one of the most influential oversea Chinese artists, and an outstanding painter of his generation. Zao's close friend Henri Michaux, a French poet once said, "Zao Wou-Ki's painting has breakthrough from restraints but still maintaining the connection with nature that is strong, familiar and not absurd. The warm colors are no longer colors, but lightening that is passionate and outburst." The refreshing watercolor painting reflects the artist's expertise in conveying romantic atmosphere through effortless movement. During the early 1970s, Zao stopped creating for an extended period of time due to his wife's illness. After Michaux' consistent encouragement, Zao finally picked up his paintbrush again. This time, he turned to explore the diverse possibilities of ink and watercolor, as he cannot
afford the concentration needed for oil painting. The soft and transparent ink and watercolor became a remedy that slowly heals his emotional pain and sorrow.
"Untitled" was created in Zao's later period. The work conveyed a hazy but bright atmosphere abandoning the refined and secluded sentiments. The soft and vibrant colors seemingly suggest running water and radiant daylight that belongs in mountain sceneries. Similar to the atmosphere illustrated in ancient poems, "Spring-like and laugh, but as summer-green drops." The spring mist gently coast above green land, between the bright colors and ethereal mist of water rendered a calm and liberated temper. As the painter approached life's final years, the past golden decades are now fruitful memories. He faithfully portrayed his life of passion, romance, laughter, sadness, sorrow and loneliness all through the tip of his paintbrush. With several grand and bold brushstrokes, he painted a landscape overflowing with gentle illumination that dyed the tranquil green land. "Poems are formless painting, painting are poetry that takes form," the harmonious environment contour by flowing back and forth brushstrokes, endless laughter and tears of the artist are also merged into the composition to create a beautiful poem. The young passionate artist is gone; all that is left are gratitude and contentment for a fulfilled life.
Zao Wou-Ki once said, "Although the influence of Paris is undeniable in all my training as an artist, I also wish to say that I have gradually rediscovered China it has affirmed itself as my deeper personality. In my recent paintings, this is expressed in an innate manner. Paradoxically, perhaps, it is to Paris I owe this return to my deepest origins". The oversea artist ardently expressed his nostalgia for heritage and origins especially in his later years. The works from this period often conveys a refreshing and sentimental ambiance. Zao Wou-Ki restlessly looked to mountains, sky, ocean and mist for his themes, combined with his daily life experiences the clear picture speaks tenderness that is beyond description. Similar to his character the paintings convey warmth and sincerity. Zao Wou-Ki's painting pursued nature by capturing the environment' s emotional state, serene, subtle and profound qualities though vibrant colors, daring brushstrokes, rich rhythm and new dimensions. He was given the honorary title as the leading artist for Modern Western Lyrical Abstraction. With sincere attitude and moving glory, Zao convey a majestic psychological universe that return to nature, Zao Wou-Ki's legacy continues to live vividly through his creation for everlasting eternity.
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