Oil on canvas

75 × 99 cm. 29 1/2 × 39 in.

Signed in Pinyin on bottom right
EXHIBITED
1989, Chen Yanning, Hefner Gallery, New York

PROVENANCE
Hefner Gallery, New York
Syllavethy Gallery, Scotland
Previous collection of the Roddick Foundation, England
13 Nov 2018, Wolley & Wallis England Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Auction, Lot5
Acquired directly by present private Asian collector from the above

Note: Two exhibition labels of Syllavethy Gallery Scotland and Hefner Gallery New York are affixed on the reverse

Returning to China after a Glorious Journey: Chen Yanning's Homecoming

Chen Yanning was born in Guangzhou in 1945 and is a key member of the Chinese Contemporary Realism School. In 1986, he went abroad to observe a large number of original artworks in museums when he became proficient in his oil painting skills. His works were highly appreciated in the European and American art circles. In 1987, Hefner Gallery in New York organized the Chinese Contemporary Oil Painting Exhibition for Chen Yanning, Wang Huaiqing, for the first time. Chen's work Mother's Love was selected as the cover for both the exhibition and for the American art magazine Sunstorm. In 1991, he won the grand prize in a portrait competition organized by the British Artists Association. In the same year, he was invited to paint a portrait for Queen Elizabeth II. This time, we present Chen's work Thinking of the Future, collected by Sir Dame Anita Roddick, a well-known British entrepreneur and the founder of Body Shop.

Thinking about Future: An Ideal World on Earth

Thinking of the Future was completed in 1988, before Chen Yanning left United States for the UK. In this painting, a young Chinese girl is lying on her stomach, raising her legs up, her eyes looking straight ahead. Her dark hair was twisted into two small braids and she was dressed in soft clothes. Her right hand held a lollipop, the sweetness indicating her young and carefree age. The endless view in front of her was just like her unbridled future, carrying the unlimited possibilities of the world. The artist deliberately painted a bison in the upper left corner of the painting, echoing the little girl who is daydreaming.

A Rare Collection: An Eastern Pearl Shining in the Western World

Thinking of the Future was presented in the artist's solo exhibition at Hefner Gallery in New York in 1989. Sir Dame Anita Roddick, who was on a business trip to the United States, favor the piece a great deal. She not only bought the piece, but also introduced Chen Yanning to the British art scene, which made him famous. Chen Yanning was invited to paint portraits for a group of royal figures including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. After being discovered by Sir Dame Anita Roddick, who was a great mentor and friend, Chen Yanning was on his way to the pinnacle of his artistic career.

Price estimate:
HKD: 70,000 – 120,000
USD: 9,000 – 15,500

Auction Result:
HKD: 330,400