Oil on canvas

72.5 x 60.5 cm. 28 1/2 x 23 7/8 in.

Signed in English and dated on bottom right

LITERATURE
2017, The Camellia Series of Dong Shaw-Hwei, National Museum of History, Taipei, p.33
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Asia

The Beauty of Peach and Plum alongside the Spirit of Pine and Cypress
The Elegant Appeals of Dong Shaw-Hwei's Camellias

Camellia is a central motif in Dong Shaw-Hwei's paintings that symbolize a Taoist urge of minimal life in the modern world. She has been creating the “Black Table” series since 2009, which has been favored by collectors at home and abroad. Two works from the series, Chinese New Year - Red Camellia (Lot 133) from 2013 and Fresh & Beautiful – Pink Camellia (Lot 132) from 2014, are presented in this autumn auction. Each of them conveys a unique appeal of camellia, leading the viewers to feel different glamour of the flower.

Grace in the Chilly Season, Blossom of Early Spring

The Chinese poet Su Shi described the camellia as “grace in the chilly season,” pointing out the unique feature of the flower: it blooms in extreme cold days. In Chinese New Year - Red Camellia, the artist cleverly places a black table on the right half of the canvas, while a red camellia standing on the table tilts up left. The structure is consistent with the asymmetrical aesthetics of traditional Chinese potted plants. The slender branches are fully charged with flowers. Several buds hidden under the shade of leaves contains tremulous light and warmth, while the two fragrant red camellias in the front are in full bloom. The crystalline utensils in front of the black table are half-filled with green tea, as if it invites the viewers to sit at the table and enjoy the beauty of fresh life in early spring over a cup of tea.

Like Fresh Water, Flowers with Immense Charm are Sans Fragrance

In Fresh & Beautiful – Pink Camellia, a pot of pink camellia exhibits its immense charm, with its petals overlapping in the shape of a mandala. On the right side of the table, there is a small painting. With a close look, it is a sheet of letter card depicted with Qi Baishi's evocative masterpiece Chrysanthemums and Butterfly. Although the chrysanthemum has no odor, the butterflies are seduced by its beauty and linger above it. Like freshwater, elegant flowers need no fragrance to emanate its natural beauty. The chrysanthemum is a symbol of the artist's stubborn idea of “relying on the essence.” In this work, instead of the square table commonly used in her paintings, the artist uses a smooth and round table, which goes well with the square pot made of tile. With exquisite craftsmanship, the artist endows her heart in the painting, hoping to dialogue with the ancient sages. The flowers seem to travel through time and space, continuing an incomplete journey of beauty with Qi and the ancient sages.

Price estimate:
HKD: 85,000 – 120,000
USD: 11,000 – 15,500

Auction Result:
HKD: 165,200