Ink and acrylic on paper

46.5 x 60 cm. 18 1/3 x 23 5/8 in.

Stamped with an artist's seal on upper right
PROVENANCE
Rago Arts, New Jersey
Private Collection, Asia

Harvesting the Essence, Presenting the Beauty of the World
The Sumptuous Feast of Walasse Ting

Self-styled as 'Mr Romantic' and 'the flower thief', the Chinese-American artist Walasse Ting achieved international fame through his use of bold, expressive and vibrant colours. In his early years, he studied art in Paris. In 1958, he moved to New York, the artistic epicentre of the time. Learning the best from each school, he was involved in the CoBrA movement, Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art. The Great American Nude series of Tom Wesselmann, who was among Ting's broad circle of artist friends, influenced Ting's perception of sexuality. Ting expressed his passion through art, drawing from both Eastern and Western artistic traditions. Being one of the most well known Chinese artists from New York, his works were collected by world-renowned art museums since the early days of his artistic career. Six pieces of his work from the 1970s to 90s are on offer this time.

Flower and Maiden,
Ink and Colours
Most of Ting's works from his Paris period were abstract monochrome black ink oil paintings. As his motif changed from gestural abstraction to semi-figurative floral belles, naturally he took from the Chinese ink tradition to recreate the eastern beauties from his memory. In Three Beauties (Lot 26), the artist reduced the elongated silhouettes of the female bodies into powerful lines. Abstract expressive strokes were one of the key features of his early belle paintings.

After moving to New York, he discovered a new creative way, merging the potentials of ink and acrylic paint that enabled him to express in a refreshing impressionistic way. Beauty with Flower (Lot 24) employs a blue-on-green colour scheme. Softness of Chinese ink painting could be found hidden behind the uninhibited use of Western colours. The mixture of Chinese brushstrokes and bold colours became more evident in Lady with Fruits (Lot 25). Chinese brushstrokes form the curves of the lady's eyebrows and arms, while the striking fruit basket below exudes fresh exuberant summer colours. In the 1990s, colours, of which he gained mastery, became the core of Ting's work. He had never stopped using Chinese brushstrokes, however. In Associations with Pink (Lot 28), the artist connects the human form with flowers and birds by pastel colours, resonating with Renoir's Portrait of the Actress Jeanne Samary. The cool blue-green hues of the background contrasts with the pink cheeks, the red lips and the plump bosoms at the foreground, highlighting the sensuality that is unique to his work in the 1990s.

The Opulence of Life
In the mid-1970s, Western female nude was his only subject. During this period, he did his work on paper and used crayon instead of ink brushes for outlining. Kiss Me, Kiss Me (Lot 29) from 1974 was one such work. The subject in the work, being stark naked, stares seductively at the viewer. The vivid palette hints at a hedonistic lifestyle. The splashes of colour and crayon lines emanate free-flowing desire, expressing the subject's sweetness and lusciousness. It is as if we can experience the pleasure of love from the faint whisper between her parted red lips.

I'm Lovesick about you from 1980 was painted on canvas. One of his mature works, this large painting oozes a special appeal. The subject is a young woman kneeling coquettishly, with her limbs put together, on a carpet of flowers. A glistening tangerine silk scarf wraps around her, attracting the viewers to take a closer look. Ting had been profoundly influenced by the use of colours of Henri Matisse, one of the masters of Les Fauves, since his early days living in Paris. The influence is evident in I'm Lovesick About You (Lot 27), which resonates with one of Matisse's masterpieces, Women in a Purple Coat. Ting borrowed its fluid forms and kaleidoscopic background. On top of that, he used his superb splashing and dribbling skills, adding to the vibrancy of the composition, making both the flowers and the young woman beaming with life. Cao Jun, director of the Suzhou Art Museum, once commented, 'Ting brought a poet's passion and imagination into painting. His work is an expression from his spiritual world.'

In the art market, most of the paintings of similar sizes are sold for millions of Hong Kong dollars. Female nude is especially a favourite subject among collectors. I'm Lovesick about you is one of Ting's mature masterpieces and such an opportunity should be grasped.

Price estimate:
HKD: 70,000 – 90,000
USD: 8,900 – 11,500

Auction Result:
HKD: --