- 514
Hon-Chew Hee (Xu Hanchao)
Estimate
150,000 - 250,000 HKD
Log in to view results
bidding is closed
Description
- Hon-Chew Hee (Xu Hanchao)
- Dress Maker
- oil on canvas
signed H. C. HEE; Gallery on the Pali, Honolulu label affixed to the reverse
executed circa 70s.
executed circa 70s.
Provenance
Private American Collection
Exhibited
Honolulu, Gallery on the Pali, Hon-Chew Hee
Literature
Hon-Chew Hee, ed., Yin-Yang Art, Hon-Chew Hee Studio, Kaneohe, 1981, p.13, illustrated in colour
Condition
The work is overall in good condition. There is a mark in the middle of the right edge which shall belong to the original creation. There are slight accretions on the left leg. There are abrasions along the top and the right borders. There are slight craquelures on a small area next to the top left part. There is no evidence of restoration under UV light.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
In Asia, Hon-Chew Hee and his works are still in the wings, but in Hawaii he is already an acclaimed artist. Hee taught at University of Hawaii throughout his career, took a keen interest in education and established Chinese Art Association in 1935 and Hawaii Watercolor Society in 1962. He earned his international reputation when he received the 1985 Oscar award by Accademia Italiana, and his monumental mural greets all visitors at the Honolulu International Airport. Sotheby's 20th Century Chinese Art sale is honoured to present ten works of Hon-Chew Hee as well as explore his world of East-West fusion.
Hee has a dramatic style of his own. Since the 1930s, he has put a lot of effort into exploring Ying and Yang, harmony and the traditional two-dimensional images in Oriental aesthetics, while further developed these concepts into three-dimensional perspective. His interest in geometric lines and planes were exemplified in works such as Yin Yang Landscape (Lot 519) and Abstract Yin Yang (Lot 518). These images though seem disciplined and logical at first glance, reflecting Hee's training in America, yet the viewers could still trace the influence of his ethnicity- an open space of mystic oriental landscape beyond the shapes and lines on canvas.
Hee incorporated not only metaphysical concepts, but also signs of Chinese culture such as abacus, Taichi Bagua, weighing scales, compass, acupuncture equipments, bamboo and wooden slips. His love of Hawaii also brought instruments such as Ukuleles into his art. In The Bellows (Lot 517), the three objects he portrayed look similar to the bellows of Ukulele, as well as masses used to weight. The work shows the rhythm of time within the same space with simple lines and bold colors. Writer Wang Lan commented on Hee that his style is "lyrical but also logical, romantic but also classic, Chinese but also international, traditional yet modern. "
Hee studied with Fernand Léger but did not hide in the shadow of his teacher. He strived to think outside the box and break the norms, fusing the lines of Chinese comics and layering technique of colors in silk printing into his oil paintings. The results are both creative and imaginative. In Dress Maker (Lot 514), which is considered as an important work in the 1970s, Hee uses simple red colors to depict light and the heroine's dress that extends and blends into the background, creating a sense of depth. The heroine holds a ruler in her hand to imply her profession. In fact, both Hee's mother and sister were tailors. They earned their living through dress-making and sent Hee to San Francisco for his pursuit of art. Dress Maker therefore could be seen as Hee's respect and gratitude towards his family.
Hee has a dramatic style of his own. Since the 1930s, he has put a lot of effort into exploring Ying and Yang, harmony and the traditional two-dimensional images in Oriental aesthetics, while further developed these concepts into three-dimensional perspective. His interest in geometric lines and planes were exemplified in works such as Yin Yang Landscape (Lot 519) and Abstract Yin Yang (Lot 518). These images though seem disciplined and logical at first glance, reflecting Hee's training in America, yet the viewers could still trace the influence of his ethnicity- an open space of mystic oriental landscape beyond the shapes and lines on canvas.
Hee incorporated not only metaphysical concepts, but also signs of Chinese culture such as abacus, Taichi Bagua, weighing scales, compass, acupuncture equipments, bamboo and wooden slips. His love of Hawaii also brought instruments such as Ukuleles into his art. In The Bellows (Lot 517), the three objects he portrayed look similar to the bellows of Ukulele, as well as masses used to weight. The work shows the rhythm of time within the same space with simple lines and bold colors. Writer Wang Lan commented on Hee that his style is "lyrical but also logical, romantic but also classic, Chinese but also international, traditional yet modern. "
Hee studied with Fernand Léger but did not hide in the shadow of his teacher. He strived to think outside the box and break the norms, fusing the lines of Chinese comics and layering technique of colors in silk printing into his oil paintings. The results are both creative and imaginative. In Dress Maker (Lot 514), which is considered as an important work in the 1970s, Hee uses simple red colors to depict light and the heroine's dress that extends and blends into the background, creating a sense of depth. The heroine holds a ruler in her hand to imply her profession. In fact, both Hee's mother and sister were tailors. They earned their living through dress-making and sent Hee to San Francisco for his pursuit of art. Dress Maker therefore could be seen as Hee's respect and gratitude towards his family.