Wooden Sculpture

44.5 × 24.5 × 17.5 cm. 17 1/2 x 9 5/8 x 6 7/8 in.

Signed in Chinese and English on the reverse

LITERATURE
2008, Wang Keping, Vibrant Life Ltd, Hong Kong, p.227
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Asia

Engraving the Trace of Time Passing with Purest Sincerity
Wang Keping's Dialogue: Human and Wood

“We get to know this world through our eyes, and we engage ourselves with the world by our brushes and carving knives. There are various expressions in our paintings, and the expressions are reflecting all kinds of ideals. We are communicating with the world in a brand-new yet more mature language.”

This is an extract from the preface of the Star Art Exhibition in 1979. Stated in the tone of first person, Wang Keping expressed his emotions and philosophy frankly and convincingly. By that time, he was the artist who adhered to this declaration most thoroughly. Born in 1949, Wang Keping became a self-taught artist since 1978. His delicate craft and bold philosophy gained him broad attention. In 1979 he made his debut on the TIME with “Silence”, making his fame in the globe. He moved to Paris in 1984. Wang Keping holds solo exhibitions worldwide, and his works have been collected by Centre Pompidou, the Paris Municipal, M+ Museum and so on. Wang's work “Wings” (1998) is an extraordinary masterpiece since his move to Paris.

In the process of creation, Wang Keping sculpts following the unique texture of each piece of wood. The sculpture could only be completed with his deep understanding of the piece of wood and his strong passion for it. From the thin flat panel emerges a set of round and plump wings. Their exquisite, smooth texture strikes a strong contrast with the comparative roughness of the flat panel. At the bottom seats a thick block. Such composition gives audience the first impression as a desk, yet it also resembles the human body in an abstract way. Wang Keping skillfully reveals the sense of flesh of the wood. The intricate texture delivers the quality of silky, smooth hair. The finely crafted wings shine the luster of bronze. Viewers can also sense Wang Keping's talents in the art creation process. When the wood piece is dried, he polished it with sandpaper. He then used blowtorch to burn the wood piece, leaving the surface darkened and imitating the trace of time passing. Any random mark formed in the process of cutting, drying or burning is kept and revealed frankly to the viewers. The essential beauty of the wood is displayed with the purest sincerity.

Price estimate:
HKD: 50,000 – 80,000
USD: 6,500 – 10,300

Auction Result:
HKD: 76,700