Lot 234
Script Style Calligraphy
George CHANN (Chinese-American, 1913 - 1995)
c. 1970s
Oil on canvas
125 x 82 cm
Estimate
TWD 2,400,000-3,600,000
HKD 638,000-957,000
USD 82,200-123,400
CNY 565,000-847,000
Sold Price
TWD 2,040,000
HKD 554,348
USD 71,579
CNY 466,819
Signature
Private collection, Asia
EXHIBITED
George Chann, Lin&Keng Gallery, Taipei, February 26 - March 21
ILLUSTRATED
George Chann, Lin&Keng Gallery, Taipei, 2000, color illustrated, pp. 108-109
+ OVERVIEW
Chann's abstract art development is divided into several stages. First is the black-and-white collection during the 1950s in which he employed Chinese characters, marks and inscriptions; colors were not used until later. Up to the 1960s characters and symbols remained, adding on material varieties such as shattered, mix-and-match, cut-and-paste, paper-pasting effects. The expression during this period of time was substantial and sturdy, implying some traces of humanism decline. Later in the 1970s, Chann created colorful tapestry-like paintings that not only embodied modern cityscapes but combined the old civilization and modernism. Using techniques of action painting such as dripping and splashing, he fully illustrated the flamboyant mixture of the old and new.
"Script Style Calligraphy" was created in George Chann's 1970 period work. "Script Style Calligraphy" has the mystic multivocality of Tobey's write writing, its essence is closer to eastern culture; it also possesses Pollock's unrestrained line structures, enhancing magnificence of the whole picture. "Script Style Calligraphy" materially adapted oil paints, and finished with collage. The patterns are close and tight; the colors are variegated, composing an epic symphony to praise glorious history and civilization. The artist transformed the Chinese characters on bones, shells, vessels, bells, stone inscriptions, and Chinese characters into abstract patterns with modern signiicances; Especially paintings from the artist's late collections, blend lourishing colors and lines, rich in muscle, its woven form having more freedom and maturity; it's a very expressive abstract painting.
Modern & Contemporary Art
Ravenel Autumn Auction 2020 Taipei
Sunday, December 6, 2020, 2:00pm