Oil on canvas

50.8 × 50.8 cm. 20 × 20 in.

Signed in Chinese and dated on bottom right
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Asia

Mastery Hidden in the Minute Details, Emanating Delightful Aura
The Debut of Yeh Tzu-Chi's Rare Michelia Figo

“O'Keeffe once said: Nobody sees a flower-really-it is so small it takes time-we haven't time-and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time. People of the modern times are too busy, so busy that they fail to pause and appreciate a flower, or a painting.”

――Yeh Tzu-Chi

Born in Hualien, Yeh Tzu-Chi began his art career at a young age. In 1989, he acquired his Masters of Fine Arts from Brooklyn College at The City University of New York. The rich resources of museum collections in the United States and the vibrant urban atmosphere have nourished his creations. In 2006, he returned from the United States to Hualien, the hometown known as “small hiatus in the city”, and began holding exhibitions. He mixed techniques of egg colour and classical oil painting to create works in bright colours, delicate textures, pregnant with personal emotional and spiritual symbolisms. He gradually established reputation in the art circle with his unique style, particularly his still life-theme works. In this autumn auction, we present Michelia Figo, a piece from the artist's famous flower-themed series. Michelia Figo is petite, causing many people to neglect it and to overlook the artistic qualities of the flower. Yeh Tzu-Chi values the diminutive size of the flower and believes that “Although the flower and leaf are tiny, an entire season is embedded”.

When the michelia figo blooms, the petals are typically only 1 to 2 centimeters, her beauty could only be seen at a close distance. In the piece, the artist deliberately enlarged the size of the flower, so that it is proportional to the vase, causing the delicate flower to present unprecedented tension and dignity. Through diligence and meticulously illustrating the details of the flower on the wooden table, Yeh Tzu-Chi presented the flower's exotic bloom, her six uncontaminated petals opening at the rim of the blue vase, revealing her tender green stamens. A green leaf is also adorned, accompanying the flower and is rejuvenated by the nutrients within the blue vase. The white flower blooms, her sepal either fully open or slightly tilted, vivid and gratifying to look at. Through cinematic lighting and dark background, Yeh Tzu-Chi created a special dramatic effect to capture the gesture of the flower, exhibiting the overt side of the flower that is usually shy and timid.

While the michelia figo flower is small in size, it has a fragrant aroma that is highly recognizable. Corresponding to Yeh Tzu-Chi's Michelia Figo, the flower's quietly blooming smile and graceful contours seem to be waving at the viewer, inviting one to share the joy of life. The piece encourages a warm, sweet, and lasting aftertaste through the quiet and solemn visual image.

Price estimate:
HKD: 220,000 - 320,000
USD: 28,000 - 40,800

Auction Result:
HKD: 336,000