Gao Yu

Private Collection, China

"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."

Influenced by Andy Warhol's complete realisation of Pop Art and  his perfect fusion of art and commerce,  as well as Takeshi Murakami's global exportation of Japan's 'Superflat' aesthetic and practice of managing the artist as if a company, Gao Yu's set himself the mission of popularizing Chinese-style cartoons around the world. One of the first artists born after 1980 to achieve wide renown, Gao's method of representing and satirizing society through comics owes less to Murakami than to Feng Zikai's 'gentle satire' of real life using a combination of literature, art, and even film. In Evil Ways, Gao combines a saying popular with an image of a long path and a setting sun that recalls the ending of a film, particularly Journey to the West. At the top of the painting, the strikingly oversize title warns against demons ahead. On the left the character Monkey, on his way to the West with his staff, turns back to say goodbye to the viewer, as if about to knowingly venture into dangerous territory. In front of him is dazzling light, a strong contrast to the haunted path, suggesting the artist's ironic skepticism towards the title. This work follows the colouring and painting techniques of traditional Chinese lacquerware: layers of acrylic pigments are laboriously, consecutively applied, polished, and varnished to create a richly textured effect. Along with the Panda Tycoon, Monkey is one of Gao's most important characters. He himself elaborates: "Cartoon is only my surface appearance...My motto is not superficiality."