Oil on canvas

100×80 cm. 39 3/8×31 1/2 in.

Signed in English and dated on bottom right
PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Asia

A Bloom, A Time
Dong Shaw-Hwei's Inner Realm

Graduating top of her class in Fine Arts from Taipei Normal University in 1984, Dong Shaw-Hwei embarked on a journey through Europe and America in the 1990s, embracing Impressionism. Later, she delved into Laozi and Chuang tzu's philosophies, producing works that reflect the Eastern spirit of "unity of object and self." In the late '90s, she developed the Black Table Still Life series with subjective mental imagery. In 2017, her solo exhibition at the National Museum of History in Taipei was met with acclaim. This auction features her exquisite works Phalaenopsis (Lot 90) and Pink Camellia (Lot 89) .

Orchids' Dance

Dong Shaw-Hwei is celebrated for her camellia paintings, yet she also explored other florals. Phalaenopsis stands out for its rarity. At the centre of the painting is a rustic black wooden table with clear, simple wood grains. The potted Phalaenopsis is eye-catching, with three blooms flourishing amidst lush leaves. The warm white petals flutter like butterflies, revealing yellow stamens, creating a refined contrast against the plain gray pot. Below, a tea cup with a delicate glaze and half-filled clear tea echoes the artist's restrained personality. This simple wooden table becomes a fragrant world: flowers, tea, and books, reflecting Dong Shaw-Hwei's hermit-like, noble spirit.

Morning and Evening Scenes, Nature Reveals Spring

Pink Camellia is a classic, cherished work by Dong Shaw-Hwei. The camellia symbolizes modesty, mirroring the artist's introverted nature and was her mother's favorite flower. In Pink Camellia, the central bloom on the round wooden table is vividly alive, with overlapping petals forming a rounded shape, like a smiling beauty. The delicate pink hue enhances its elegant charm, embodying Dong's concept of "observing the world with a tranquil mind". The half-filled tea cup, a signature element in her work, is clear and pure, symbolizing her perspective of quiet observation. Through the stages of the flower's bloom, Dong captures the inherent beauty in life's every phase, touching the viewer's heart.

Price estimate:
HKD 270,000 – 370,000
USD 34,600 – 47,400

Auction Result:
HKD: 420,000