Reed and Crickets

ZHAO SHAO'ANG (1905-1998), WEN YONGCHEN (WAN WING SUM, 1922-1995) AND FU JUANFU (1910-2007)
Reed and Crickets
Scroll, mounted and framed, ink and colour on paper
61 x 93 cm. (24 x 36 ⁵⁄₈ in.)
Entitled, inscribed and signed by Fu Juanfu, with two seals
Inscribed and signed by Zhao Shao'ang, with two seals
Microscopic calligraphy by Wen Yongchen
Dated spring, bingyin year (1986)
Dedicated to Liu Jijian (son of Liu Liangnian) and Jinglong (grandson of Liu Liangnian)

Christie's Hong Kong, Fine Modern and Contemporary Chinese Paintings, 27 October 2002, Lot 269.

Liu Liangnian was born in Fujian in 1905. He attended Ying Wah College in 1920 and later worked at the Shanghai Customs. There, Liu befriended many artists including Wu Hufan, Zhang Shanzi, Zhang Daqian, Ye Gongchuo and the Gao brothers, Jianfu and Qifeng. During the war, he moved to Chengdu where many others also sought refuge. He became acquainted with artists such as Huang Junbi, Zhao Shao’ang, Guan Shanyue, Li Xiongcai and Yu Youren. In 1946, Liu was transferred to the Gongbei Customs in Zhuhai and lived in Macau. In 1952, Liu left with his family to live in North Point, Hong Kong. He ran a trading business and spent his spare time on the arts, arranging dinners, meetings and exhibitions for artists. After he retired, Liu further expanded his collection of paintings, works of art and stamps. He also wrote poetry, some of which was published. His close relationship with the artists saw his son, Liu Jijian as a favoured godson to Huang Junbi.