ZHONG CHENG

Zhong Cheng 2024 Autumn Auction「Modern And Contemporary Art」

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    046

    YE YONGQING (b.1958)

    Bird

    2006

    Oil on Canvas
    100x80cm

    Signed Ye Yong-Qing both in Chinese and English, dated 2006

    Estimate TWD 650,000-750,000
    USD 21,200-24,500
    HKD 0-0

    Hammer Price TWD 967,600
    USD 0
    HKD 0

Provenance：Sotheby’s Hong Kong, Contemporary Asian Art, 4 April 2011, Lot 1030

Illustrated：

Exhibition：

Exposition：

“I often see my life as like that of migratory bird moving among several different cities, fragmented and with no fixesd abode. I paint and put together my creations the same way: I hit one target and move on”
－Quated from “Letter to Li Xian-Ting” by Ye Yong-Qing, 1991

Known to the art scene by Ye Shui, he graduated from the Sichuan Art Institute along with Chang Xiao Gong, Chou Chunya, and others of the East South Art Group approaching aesthetic with a subjective point of view, emphasizing on life experiences and personal values. 

In 1997 Ye Yong-Qing was constantly expending his areas of expertise. He was a founder of a public art space, curator, artist, art agent, city planner, and his occupations often required him to travel various destination. Through his busy lifestyle, Ye started to identified himself with birds that never stopped flying. Since the year 2000, he began to investigate perceptual drawing, with a single small brush and ink, he slowly construct graffiti of a bird. The Birds were so unique it soon became his signature. “ Graffiti can give off the impression on fast and simple, but I hope to approach Graffiti through mature manner, my slow progress can construct an impression of quick sketch, one may even be mislead to think it was a child’s painting. However, they would notice the inner depth when they look closely. The process of creation to me was very playful, it felt as if I was creating a trap and waiting for the audience’s reaction. It is like presenting a harmless prank” Ye turned the bird into a teasing subject, within the midst of scholarly expression and teasing goal, Ye stood out as a Chinese contemporary Artist.  

In the painting Bird, created in 2006, within precise brushstrokes, each individual mark illustrates both control and distortion. Through the construction of the bird’s expression, it is intentionally presented to us to demonstrate the sense of ordinary and blend. The large empty space surrounding the subject is a technique of leaving white originated from the traditional Chinese ink drawing practice the blank background leaves room for interpretation; it is similar to the modern day ideal that emphasize on simplicity. “People often asked me what does your birds signify? There are no reasons for why I draw them; even a regular civilian with no artistic practice can understand my drawing of birds. It gives everybody the freedom to imagine an end with my work, subject matter is no longer important. In traditional drawings flowers and birds are a common subject it symbol elegance. However in slang, the word bird can be used to be rude. The tradition and present day interpretation are in opposition. The ridiculous of it all is what intrigues me, the different possibility of expression”. With simple medium and exquisite techniques makes the painting instantly interesting. Every brushstrokes depicts an unexplained determination. 

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