T'ang Haywen (Zeng Haiwen)

signed in Pinyin and Chinese; inscribed Paris 73 on the reverse
Gallery de Sarthe, Hong Kong label affixed to the reverse, framed

Private French Collection
de Sarthe Gallery, Hong Kong
Private Asian Collection

Overall in good condition
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T’ang Haywen was a Chinese born painter who grew up in China and later Vietnam. In 1948, he moved to Paris where he devoted himself to painting and befriended influential artists in the Chinese diaspora such as Chang Daqian and Zao Wou-ki. The 1970s represents T’ang’s most productive period for his greatest works. The choice of a diptych refers to the artist’s desire to illustrate the mantra that “one divides into two, and that two fuses into one.”  This present abstract ink painting incorporates elements from his devotion to Daoism (minimal expression) and commitment to innovation (of the painting tradition). In 1973, T’ang collaborated with filmmaker Tom Tam to create T’ang Boogie, arguably the first experimental movie produced by a Chinese artist. The present work is included in the movie, a copy of which has been in the collection of the Musée d'Art Moderne, Paris, since 2002.

This work will be included as No. S14-LDI-20 in the forthcoming catalogue raisonné prepared by Mr. Philippe Koutouzis. (Information provided by the T’ang Haywen Archives.)