Monkeys

ZENG ZHILIU (1931-?)
Monkeys
Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper
43.5 x 98.6 cm. (17 ¹⁄₈ x 38 ⁷⁄₈ in.)
Signed, with two seals of the artist
Dated Winter Solstice, jiayin year (1974)
Further inscribed and signed by Zhao Shao'ang (1905-1998), with one seal
Dedicated to Shanxiao (Kwong Shan-Siu, 1909-1976)

NOTE:
Zeng Zhiliu, a painter from Hong Kong, specialized in portrait oil paintings in his early periods. Inspired by Yang Shanshen, he became a pupil of Yang, and later turned his focus to Chinese Paintings, specializing in depicting Monkeys.

Kwong Shan-Siu (1909-1976), originally from Taishan, Guangdong province, was one of the best known figures in Cantonese opera and movies in the mid-20th century. Kwong began his career in 1932 and was one of the most prolific actors in Hong Kong before WWII, having performed in more than 120 movies in his life.
Kwong was dedicated in promoting cultural exchanges between Guangdong and Hong Kong. He became friends with many second generation Lingnan artists including Zhao Shao’ang and Yang Shanshen, whom gifted paintings to him. Many works were important collaborative paintings from the 1940s. Open-minded and generous, Kwong was very well-loved and respected in the arts community.