Watercolour on paper

54 × 79 cm. 21 1/4 × 31 1/8 in.

Signed in English with an artist's stamp on bottom right
PROVENANCE
Important Private Collection, Asia

This work is accompanied by a photo of the artist with the artwork and a document signed by the artist

When the Sky and Water Reflects, My Hometown Will Exist
In an Alone and Distance Journey, My Perspective Remains: Wang Pan-Youn's Guishan (Lanyang)

Born in a prosperous family in Jiangsu, China, Chinese-Taiwanese painter Wang Pan-Youn received strong academic training at The Fine Arts College of Shanghai University, under the apprentice of master Liu Haisu and Pan Tianshou. Wang emigrated to Taiwan in 1949, and began to explore his individualistic voice and expression. In 60 years of artistic journey, he identified with emotions of solemn through depictions of long, cold, lonely nights, and drew inspiration within animalistic behaviours of wolves and birds. The simplistic motifs of Wang emphasize extensive sorrow and personalized grief, which originated from the premature passing of his parents, along with an antagonized and revolutionary time period in China. In many still and expansive scenery, Wang's composition became his idiosyncratic visual language to invite viewers to contemplate the life's meaning and purpose.

As Transcendent Turquoise Fills Lanyang, Brushwork Translates Poem

Over the years, Guishan Island has become an iconic Eden of nature in Taiwan. Situated in Lanyang, East of the Pacific, the island also consists of a volcano.

In this current work titled Guishan Island (Lanyang), the artist painted large strokes of blue turquoise to emulate the stillness and clarity of the water surrounding the infamous Guishan Island. Highlighted by a strong sense of calmness, the boat depicted on the bottom right conveys poetic gestures and thoughts, which implies past and iconic references of many masters and poets. Afloat in the air, the position of the Guishan Island conveys lightness and transcendence of the sky, and illustrates the firmness of the island. Delicate brushwork dances across the surface, and blurs boundaries between art and nature. Utilizing a classic landscape painting approach, Wang presented Guishan Island on the top left. Amidst the sea of blue turquoise, a rim of white appears around the back of the island. Such unique demonstration not only pays homage to classic Chinese practice in painting, termed “Liu Bai”, but allows viewers to imagine beyond the physicality of the island, and extends beyond the surface and construct of painting. For Wang, the substantial scenery was further distanced by the plane, as he was distanced from his heritage in Jiangsu.

Painting served as his companion in difficult life situations, and he aimed to provide equal solace and peace through his variations of mountain and seascape. Wildness of the sea guides us through our narrowed and stubborn thoughts, and leads us to a sanctuary of rest, in a moment of need, and in our entire life. Once said by the wise poet Bai Juyi, “In any situation in life, there is a time for rest. Even when sailing in a self-guided boat, you will maintain peace with a serene attitude”.

Price estimate:
HKD: 120,000 - 180,000
USD: 15,300 - 22,900

Auction Result:
HKD: --