LOT 61
CHEN WEN HSI
B. China, 1906 – 1991
Herons
Inscribed and signed with seal of the artist on upper right
Watercolour on paper
43 x 29 cm
Provenance Private Collection Singapore
Illustrated in the soon to be published “777, Celebrating 7 Illustrious Years at KLAS” coffee table book published by KLAS in February 2019
RM 18,000 – RM 30,000
Chen Wen Hsi claim to fame was his versality to work with various styles and techniques from Fauvism to Cubism as well as acrylic, viscous paints and sand on canvas. He was adept at both traditional Chinese ink and Western oil painting. His Western-style works in the early 1950s were realistic depictions infused with postimpressionistic and expressionistic elements. His art evolved over time and transformed from simplified forms and strong colours to cubism, and later abstraction.
In this masterpiece, Chen Wen Hsi illustrates his abstract mastery using ink and colour on paper in a using muted tones to let his work speak for itself. The manner of the work shows that there is more depth and this interpretation of a flock of birds depicts an underlining tranquillity. Viewers who finds solace in watching animals thrive in the serenity of their natural habitat would enjoy this piece. There is a strong Eastern influence in this body of work.