Bird with Lotus

The owners of this collection began acquiring 20th-century Chinese paintings in the late 1980s. Their fascination with master painters such as Zhang Daqian expanded their horizons and led them to works by living artists who revolutionized the ink tradition in the late 20th century. Having lived in Japan and Hong Kong, the owners travelled extensively throughout Asia and to China on many occasions with an open mind, eager to see art and meet artists. They were excited by the intellectual rigour, the experimentation of materials and techniques, and the vitality of the artists.

Acquiring works from artists, galleries and auction houses, the owners assembled a diverse collection of contemporary ink paintings that witnessed the ever-evolving development of the tradition in the past three decades. These works converse with the thousand-year-old practice but constantly challenge the nature and relevance of this art form to the artists’ lives and recent historical events. The artists featured in the collection include leading figures in the movement such as Liu Kuo-sung, Irene Chou, and Qiu Zhijie. They represent a wide range of backgrounds, training, and geography; their inspiration and influence are also diverse – from the photographs taken by the astronauts landing on the moon for the first time, and the origin of life, to the fundamental elements of the Chinese language and its characters. As visionaries fascinated by the growth of ink art, the owners became friends with many artists, and as cultural patrons, actively support organizations that bridge East and West, bringing Chinese art and culture to a broader audience worldwide.

More contemporary ink paintings from this collection are also available in Christie’s Fine Chinese Modern and Contemporary Ink Paintings sale on 1 December 2020 (Lot 1033-1041).