Tiancheng International Presented its Inaugural Contemporary Asian Art Auction

Written by Colin Barnstock Thursday, 15 December 2011 22:23

Hong Kong.- Tiancheng International was delighted to present ‘Contemporary Literati’,  a special theme sale of modern and contemporary Asian art. Tiancheng International’s inaugural auction was held at at 30/F of Bank of China Tower, Central, Hong Kong. Prior to the auction, highlights of the sale will be exhibited in Shanghai, Beijing, Xiamen and Taipei and Hong Kong. ‘Literati’ refers to ancient Oriental scholars and intellectuals who saw various forms of creative expressions as a way of life. This ‘Contemporary Literati’ auction comprises works by contemporary artists who express the spirit and value of the ancient literati through modern mediums such as photography, sculpture, video, oil or mixed media, as well as artists who express contemporary subject matters using traditional tools such as ink and brush.  A selection of masterpieces by these modern masters is included in the theme sale, such as "Raincloud over Wushan", a splashed ink painting by Zhang Daqian. Zhang Daqian is highly regarded for his innovative spirit and his breakthroughs in introducing the abstract concept and use of colour in western paintings into his ink and brush works. This piece, executed between the 60s to the 70s, is a signature work by Zhang with green and blue splashed ink in his mature style, showing the powerful force of nature amongst the moving clouds and air (Estimate: HK$9,000,000-12,000,000).

"Spring", a double-sided oil painting work by Wu Guanzhong is another major highlight of the auction. Wu Guanzhong is regarded as one of the most representative modern Chinese artists in the 20th century. He applies traditional Chinese painterly techniques of brush drawing in his oil paintings. This work is a rare double-sided oil painting on board. One side captures the scene of willows by the lake in spring and the other side depicts a donkey. Wu demonstrates how he masters his brushes by the succinct lines. This work was acquired directly from the artist and has never been offered in the market (Estimate: HK$ 5,200,000 - 7,000,000).


"Fu-Shun Restaurant" by He Jian depicts a traditional local Sichuan banquet with ink and colour. His choice of a familiar subject matter presents an interesting yet conflicting tension of the classical and the contemporary in this fresco - like work. Using traditional ink and colour as his palette to present contemporary social motifs has become the artist's signature, making him an outstanding artist among the pioneering artists (Estimate: HK$60,000-80,000). Literati art is not only about ink and brush works, it may also comprise of works in alternative medium that express Oriental aesthetics. Works created in modern mediums such as photography, video, sculptures, oil and mixed media are included in this auction. Photography works by Yang Yongliang is one such example. Yang is trained in traditional painting and calligraphy and often uses classical Chinese paintings as the basis of his works. He replaces elements from the paintings with photographic images, creating an interesting dialogue between the old and the new, and presents a different outlet for modern photography. In "Peach Blossom Colony – Horse Training", real-life images of a horse and a man were captured by camera and assembled into a setting inspired by Zhao Mengfu’s famous classical painting from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). The expression of a traditional ambience through a contemporary medium creates an intercrossing of time and space (Estimate: HK$80,000-100,000).

Founded in May 2011, Tiancheng International is a newly established auction house led by a visionary management group and an illustrious team of experts with extensive experience in the international auction business. With solid understanding of the cultural requirements of clients and broad vision to the art world, the team aims to explore new frontiers in the Asian auction market. With its head office in Hong Kong, Tiancheng International also has branch offices in Shanghai and Taipei. Visit the auction house's website at ... http://www.tianchengauction.com

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