LOT 22
ZAO WOU-KI
(B. China, 1921-2013)
Montagnes Embrumées
(Misty Mountains), 2006
Signed in Chinese and Pinyin, and numbered 71/99
Silkscreen on arches paper
Edition 71/99
27.5 x 19.7 cm
Provenance
Private Collection, Kuala Lumpur
Published in Christie’s Hong Kong
Asian 20th Century Art (Day Sale) (Lot 444)
Sale 3359 – November 23, 2014 auction catalogue
SOLD – RM 7,840
The air is heavy, thick and mysterious. Dark clouds mingling with fog veil the mountains, almost obstructing it from view. Shadows and outlines of trees can be seen, but barely.
Chinese-French artist Zao Wou-Ki was famous for incorporating both the Orientalist and Western approach in his artworks. His abstract works include Modernist lines and inklings of traditional Chinese landscape paintings, creating his own theme and version of West-meets-East. This work on paper has hints of a three-dimensional quality, and may have different meanings, depending on the viewer. The mixture of the Western art and Chinese influences was a pursuit of unity by Zao, and the end result is a work of abstract art. As he stated once, the combination of techniques appears different for some, as those of Western influences may see a play of colours and lines, but those of the Chinese art influences may see mountains, water or even wind.
Reference
For the limited edition of the book Zao Wou-Ki, Carnets de voyage 1948-1952,
Albin Michel ed., 2006, based on a watercolour from 1950