Acylic on resin sculpture Edition: 2/8

155×91×84 cm. 61×35 7/8×33 1/8 in.

Signed in Chinese and pinyin, dated and numbered along the side of left leg
PROVENANCE
China Today Gallery, Brussels
Acquired directly by present private European collector from the above

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by China Today Gallery, Brussels with a signature from artist

Blooming Colours of Life
The Creative Journey of Zhou Chunya Spanning Over Two Decades

During China's transformative era of reform and opening up, many outstanding artists ventured abroad to express themselves on the world stage. Zhou Chunya is a prominent figure among them. Born in Chongqing in 1955, he graduated from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in 1982. At the age of 31, he moved to Germany to study at the University of Bielefeld and later at the Kunsthochschule Kassel. Zhou's work combines Western Neo-Expressionism with the spirit of Chinese literati ink painting, creating a unique contemporary Chinese aesthetic. This autumn auction presents a selection of his works spanning 25 years, from the Nude (Lot 70) derived from his Rock Series in 1993, the Green Dog in Spring (Lot 68) sculpture from 2009, to Taihu (Lot 69) from 2018, showcasing his diverse talents across different media.

A Celebration of Strength and Beauty
Rare Nude Painting Debuts at Auction

"In recent paintings, I've included some elements that might surprise you, like breasts and genital-like forms, but they remain fundamentally traditional."
— Zhou Chunya to Zhang Xiaogang, 1986

In a letter to Zhang Xiaogang, Zhou Chunya discussed his new creative direction. A year later, he was invited by the mayor of Linz, Austria, to hold an exhibition. There, he presented works featuring indistinguishable male and female heads and animal figures drawn in black charcoal on white canvas. The bold black-and-white contrasts and striking visual language sparked extensive discussions about the essence of life. After returning to China, he further developed this theme by combining nude human figures with rock formations, both derived from nature and possessing a resilient physicality. Nude from 1993 is one of fewer than 25 pieces in this theme, with only five depicting more than one figure, making it exceptionally rare.

A Song of Freedom

The large canvas of Nude features a creamy white background with bold black strokes depicting a seated woman's firm body. She stands naked, arms raised, boldly displaying her strong torso. Zhou omits her facial features, focusing on the precise and graceful lines of her body to highlight the beauty of the human form. This adds a layer of mystery as the viewer cannot identify the subject. Beside her, another simplified female figure appears to sit alongside, reminiscent of Marc Chagall's Rider on a Red Horse, suggesting a surreal adventure.

Brilliance in Black and White

Around the main figure, Zhou uses thick, urgent strokes to envelop her, creating a nearly obsessive repetition of lines that resemble Cy Twombly's work. This interplay of density and space creates moments of tension and breathability, bringing the characters to life.

A Visual Adventure in Eastern Aesthetics
Green Dog with Peach Blossoms

In 1994, Zhou adopted a German Wolfdog named Heigen from his friend, Chinese ink painter Cen Xuegong. Heigen became a central figure in Zhou's work, reflecting his nostalgia for Germany and joy in Heigen's companionship. Initially featured in paintings, Heigen was later immortalised in Zhou's first "Green Dog" sculpture in 2005, titled Smiling Dog. Over the next eight years, Zhou created over 20 "Green Dog" sculptures, with only two incorporating his classic "Green Dog" and "Peach Blossoms" themes. The 2009 piece Green Dog in Spring exemplifies this rarity. Based on his 2006 sculpture, it shows the dog sitting, head tilted to the right, panting or greeting its owner. The red tongue against white teeth and green paint creates a strong visual impact. It also showcases the dog's bravery and agility. Zhou painted bright pink peach blossoms and fresh buds on the dog's body and tongue, blending the green dog with nature and presenting an ideal of Eastern aesthetics.

The Winds of Spring in the Green Pond
Zhou Chunya's Chinese Courtyard

After achieving success with themes like Tibet, stones, female nudes, green dogs, and peach blossoms, Zhou Chunya turned his focus to everyday landscapes. Since 2013, he has created a series of watercolour works on paper on courtyard scenes. The 2018 piece Taihu is a classic example.

Serenity in the Summer Courtyard

The painting features a composition typical of Jiangnan's "small bridges and flowing water." In the foreground, a zigzag stone bridge divides a pond, with grey rock formations inspired by Zhou's "Chinese Rocks" in the middle ground. Watercolour enhances the rocks' fluidity and expressiveness, with blue-grey hues highlighting their rugged contours and sculpted surfaces, capturing the essence of traditional Chinese gardens. The background, painted with relaxed brushstrokes, depicts flower clusters, a waterside pavilion, and white-tiled walls. Green trees, grey rooftops, white walls, and pink flowers blend harmoniously, each element standing out while complementing the others. The flowing lines and varied heights sketch a tranquil summer scene, reflecting the artist's peaceful and playful inner world.

Price estimate:
HKD 450,000 – 650,000
USD 57,700 – 83,300

Auction Result:
HKD: 540,000