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20th Century Chinese Art

Zao Wou-ki (1920 – 2013), 16.5.66, 1966, oil on canvas, 195 x 130 cm Est. HK$30 – 50 million / US$3.8 – 6.4 million 
趙無極(1920 – 2013)《16.5.66》 
油彩畫布,1966年作,195 x 130公分
估價:3,000萬至5,000萬港元/380萬至640萬美元

The vertical canvas of 16.5.66 features a rich backdrop of amber, orange and apricot yellow, superimposed with the etchings of crisscrossing brushstrokes hastily executed in black. Painted in the bold, unfettered style of Cao Shu (cursive script) calligraphy, the lines rise upwards with an uninterrupted force. From the centre, they radiate out in unruly movements to create the image of a dynamic cyclone. Orange and red, the colours that suffuse this painting, are primarily used to communicate Zao Wou-ki’s unbridled passion for his art. The brushstroke displayed is equally outstanding, executed energetically to seemingly form the Chinese character “ai (love)” in black. The artist’s ability to create a range of tones using only black to multilayered and contrasting effects indicates a masterful grasp of Chinese calligraphy skills. Through the breathtaking brushstrokes showcased on canvas, viewers can almost visualise every breath the artist inhales, his every movement and all the vitality he musters to perform this work. Coming from an important European private collection, this spectacular piece has been exhibited at a Zao Wou-ki solo exhibition at Palais des Beaux-arts, Charleroi, Belgium, 1969, and will be offered at auction for the first time.
Available at Sotheby's Hong Kong 40th Anniversary Evening Sale.

在《16.5.66》背景沾染著琥珀、橘紅與杏黃色彩的直幅畫布上,蘸滿黑色的筆刷縱橫自若,帶有若草書般的強勁氣魄、行氣迸生的書法線條由上而下、由中心向外跌宕奔放地構築出一極富動態、奔騰躍勁的流動氣旋。作品以帶有中國喜慶感覺的橘紅暖彩為主色,當中雷霆萬鈞的黑色筆勢,若形成一個「愛」字的書寫,黑色線條時乾如秋風,時若潤含春雨,黑彩本身帶有層次與對比,在運筆的過程中氣韻橫生,透露了藝術家深厚的書法底蘊。橘紅色的選彩無疑表達了趙無極對藝術的真切熱情,而透過雷霆萬鈞的線條,觀者恍惚能想像大師的呼吸、律動和其活力充沛的身體動能。此來自歐洲重要私人收藏之《16.5.66》過去未曾於拍場曝光,但曾代表趙無極參加重要大展,於1969年曝光於畫家在比利時沙勒羅瓦美術宮(Palais des Beaux-arts, Charleroi)所舉辦的個展中,其重要性可見一斑。香港蘇富比將2013年秋季拍賣會期間為藏家呈獻。

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