Oil on canvas

111.5 x 161.5 cm. 43 7/8 x 63 1/2 in.

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

A pristine Lake and Memories of Yore
The magic realism of Lien Chien-hsing
In 1980, Lien Chien-hsing enrolled in the Department of Fine Arts of the Chinese Culture University in Taipei. In his second year of study, he won the seventh Lion Art New Artist Award. After graduation, in 1987, he received the Shiy De-jinn Award for demonstrating extraordinary artistic talent. In 1998, Lien teamed up with Yang Mao-lin, Kuo Wei-kuo, and other likeminded artists and together founded Hantoo Art Group to promote the development of contemporary art in Taiwan. While depicting realistic scenes, his works incorporate memories of his own childhood life, revealing a hint of sadness. This is his unique “magic realism”. The work currently being auctioned, Landscape, is a delicate and magnificent masterpiece created by the artist in the second year （1999） after he joined Hantoo Art Group.
At first glance, Landscape depicts a vast tranquil lake, with the water glistening under the setting sun. In the distance, people are gathered in small groups, waving and cheering at the ship as it sets sail； it is also as if they are waiting to watch the sunset. Meanwhile, on an isolated island on the opposite side, there are people fishing. The juxtaposition of these scenes on the same canvas creates a surreal visual experience, in which the viewer cannot distinguish between reality and illusion. Born in the Taiwanese port city of Keelung, Lien Chien-hsing once remarked, “I witnessed the decline of the gold, copper, and coal industries in the area as mining depleted these resources. These events caused industries that had in the past flourished to gradually disappear or facilities to be abandoned as prosperity was lost.” Perhaps the tranquil and harmonious scene of nature in Landscape is a true utopia in the artist's heart. Through his painting, he seeks to create a hometown that has not been destroyed by modern technology. From this point of view, the work possesses special significance.

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

Auction Result:
HKD : --