Page 236 - Christie's Fine Chinese Paintings Hong Kong Dec. 1 2015

LOT 1382
FROM AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE COLLECTION

As a pioneer of modern Chinese art, Wu Guanzhong bridged abstract expressionism with Chinese rhythm, and
closed the gap between traditional and modern Chinese painting, resulting in a revolutionary style that was a
new art form in itself. His paintings explore the tension between water and ink, solid shapes and flowing lines,
natural forms and abstract expressionism.

In reference to his stylistic movement from quiet realism towards soulful abstraction in the early 1980s, Wu writes,
“The relationship between semblance and non-semblance is in fact the same as the relationship between concrete
and abstract. What exactly constitutes spirit resonance and lifelike motion (qiyun shengdong) in Chinese traditional
painting? Whether in landscape or in flower-and-bird painting, it lies in the expressive difference between motion
that has spirit resonance and motion that does not. Within this there is the question of the harmony or conflict
between the abstract and the concrete, and the factor of either beauty or ugliness that hovers just beyond.”

During his later years, Wu’s treeforms begin to take on a life of their own. In Bark, brushstrokes become dribbles
of pigment and wild inklines become the bark’s struggles ingrained in its winding branches, as trees become
intelligible shapes, dotted with contrasting colours of Western traditions enhanced with fluid lines that stretch
like fine silk. His trees, like in Bark, represent his artistic spirit.

Wu Guangzhong is able to expertly paint expressionistic works that portray the soul of the trees without
isolating itself from life. He writes, “Art is like a kite. You have to pull the string hard in order to stretch its
potential to the limit, but you don’t want to pull it so hard that you break the thread, because the thread connects
you to the land and its people.”

1382 US$1,300,000-1,900,000

WU GUANZHONG (1919 - 2010)

Bark

Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper
67.5 x 135.5 cm. (26 ¬ x 53 ¡ in.)
Signed, with three seals of the artist

PROVENANCE:

The Low Gallery.
Lot 2623, 30 November 2010, Fine Chinese Modern Paintings, Christie’s Hong Kong.

HK$10,000,000-15,000,000

The Low Gallery

2010 11 30 2623

228