A Zao Wou-ki masterpiece is expected to fetch more than US$2
million at the upcoming autumn auction on December 3 in Taipei.
Chinese art created during the past 100 years will continue to
dominate Ravenel's auction.
The Taiwan-based auction company will put 178 lots under the
hammer, including modern and contemporary paintings, sculptures and
photos by 112 Chinese artists from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan
Province and overseas.
Zao's abstract oil paintings will be the highlight. Three out of
the total four lots were created in the 1960s, during which Zao's
works came to the climax and his fame reached an unprecedented
height in the world art circle, as most art critics suggest. Zao
himself is also very pleased with the works of that time, which he
considers to be of full maturity in art.
"5.12.1969" is one of the representatives of Zao's artistic
achievement. The painting features a brilliant combination of
"Chinese space" and "Western light." It is expected to fetch the
highest bid between US$1.9 million and US$2.69 million.
Hilo Chiung-jui, an art historian in Taiwan, commented that the
work "has a continuously rising power, which gives people an uplift
will."
Another artist expected to steal the most attention is Chu
Teh-chun. He is acclaimed as one of the most revered overseas
Chinese masters among critics and collectors.
Chu's great love for ancient Chinese poetry and Western classic
music is embodied in his works, which are hailed as poetic abstract
creations.
Seven of Chu's oil paintings will go under the hammer. Among
them, "The White Forest I" (lot 59) deserves particular
recommendation. It is expected to bring in the second highest bids
at an estimated US$978,600 to US$1.2 million. It belongs to the
1987 series entitled "The White Forest."
Being the cradle of Chinese oil art, the China Academy of Arts
has boasted a lot of predominate names of tremendous influence in
the art scene, such as Zao Wou-ki and Chu Teh-chun. The list also
includes Wu Guanzhong, Chao Chung-hsiang and Shiy De-jinn, whose
works are to be auctioned.
The famous Taiwan-based sculpture Ju Ming presents several of
his "Taichi Series," including three bronze wares and a wooden
piece. Taichi boxing examines the fusion of strength and
tenderness, the balance of yin and yang and the harmony between
movement and stillness, which represent Ju's attitudes towards life
and esthetics. His Taichi sculptures visualize Chinese
philosophers' concept of nature.
Other participating artists in the Chinese contemporary art
scene include Wang Guangyi, Ji Dachun, Yin Zhaoyang and Zhou
Chunya.
Works by young and promising Taiwan-based artists will also
attract spotlights in the auction house.
The auction's Beijing preview will be held at the Grand Hyatt
Hotel on the Chang'an Avenue on Saturday and Sunday. Previews in
Hong Kong and Taipei are set for November 25 and 26 and December 1
and 2 respectively.
(China Daily November 25, 2006)