Oil on canvas

96 × 121 cm. 37 3/4 × 47 5/8 in.

Signed in English on bottom right

LITERATURE
1981, Yin-Yang Art, Hon-Chew Hee, ed., Ltd, Hawaii, p.19
EXHIBITED
17 Jun – 2 Jul late 1970s – early 1980s, Hawaii Artists League Annual Exhibition, Amfac Plaza Exhibition Room, Hawaii

PROVENANCE
Mid 1980s, acquired directly by original collector in Honolulu, Hawaii
Previous Collection of American Art Historian Dr. Michael Brown
24 Nov 2013, Christie's Hong Kong Autumn Auction, Lot 266
Acquired directly by present important Asian collector from the above

An exhibition label of Hawaii Artists League Annual Exhibition is affixed on the reverse

The Shadow of the Dances and Drama, Adroit as Moving Dragons
The Masterpiece of Hon-Chew Hee

Looking back at modern Chinese art history, Hon-Chew Hee is a special and shining character. Born in Hawaii in 1906, he was son to Jack Son Hee, who was a Chinese scholar immigrated to the United States in the early years and was also Sun Yat-sen's best friend and ally in Honolulu. Hon-Chew Hee entered the prestigious California Academy of Fine Art in 1929 and became a classmate of Yun Gee. He has received many awards in various art competitions. The San Francisco Chinatown Daily once praised: “This is the first time that a Chinese student has won the highest honor of the California Academy of Fine Art.” During his studies, he came to know Diego Rivera, father of Mexican murals, and received his public praise. In 1948, he moved to New York and studied at Columbia University. The following year he went to Paris to study under the cubist master Fernand Léger. Hon-Chew Hee has been teaching at the University of Hawaii since 1959, with Tseng Yu-ho as his colleague. His works refine elements and symbols from Eastern spirit while incorporating cubist style, which have been collected by institutions such as the Washington Library of Congress, the National New York School of Design and well-known art collectors. Let us experience the charm of his work through the beautiful piece of Pali Battle of Hawaii.

Pali Battle of Hawaii was a well-known battle for the unification of Hawaii islands by then Chief Kamehameha in 1795. In this work, the artist uses the blue-green spectrum which symbolizes the ocean to create symmetrical and even color blocks such as squares, trapezoids, and diamonds, indicating the multicultural background of Hawaii. Drawing from the traditional art form of Chinese papercut, he vividly displays the image of aboriginal people who are holding long spears and fighting each other on paper. The red edges outline the hollow lines like a dragon, presenting the collision of tradition and modernity via rich structural model.

Pali Battle of Hawaii was originally collected by Dr. Michael Brown, an art historian of Asian American. He was one of the first westerners to pay attention to Asian artists who made contributions to California's cultural circles. He published the book Asians in California 1920-1965: A Pictorial History. This work has been kept by a collector since its debut in Dr. Brown's special auction ten years ago. It is a rare opportunity to see this piece again, which adds to its significance.

Price estimate:
HKD: 60,000 – 80,000
USD: 7,700 – 10,300

Auction Result:
HKD: 76,700