Lot 584
  • 584

Wei Ligang

Estimate
75,000 - 120,000 HKD
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Description

  • Wei Ligang
  • Ten
  • ink and acrylic on paper, framed
  • 2010
signed in Chinese and dated 2010

Provenance

Goedhuis Contemporary, New York
The Origo Collection

Exhibited

USA, New York, Mallett Gallery, Wei Ligang: Chinese Palaces, 15-22 March, 2014

Condition

Overall in good condition. There is slight undulation on the surface, which can be improved with remounting. Overall framed dimensions: 144 by 144.5 cm; 56⅝ by 56⅞ in.
"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

During his studies at Tianjin’s Nankai University where he received a degree in mathematics, Wei Ligang also studied Northern Wei tablet inscriptions, seal carving, and calligraphy. Upon graduation in 1985 he assumed a post to teach mathematics, which transformed into a position to teach art and calligraphy. Dedicated to art and its modern development, Wei systematically focused on the early 20th century developments of Japanese calligraphy and Abstract Expressionism to fuel his journey of developing calligraphic styles of painting. Ten (Lot 584) is an expression of the numerical character composed from two gestural, spontaneous brushstrokes that is reminiscent of the audacious paintings of the calligraphic paintings produced in Japan and the West. Wei’s paintings are meant to draw similarities between the concepts of Abstract Expressionism and the Chinese writing system. In addition, the artist regards mathematics, using symbols to represent relationships between figures and forms, as the highest level of abstraction.

In his paintings, Wei Ligang deconstructs aspects of Chinese characters and the grid system of calligraphy, thus forming the basis of his Wei’s Squares series in the late 1990s. Record of Yue Yang Tower(Lot 587) is a reference to the renowned poem by Song dynasty politician and literary figure Fan Zhongyan (989-1052 C.E.). While the original text describes the scenic beauty of the Yue Yang tower and pays respect to local official Teng Zijing (991-1047 C.E.) who restored the original tower from the Three Kingdoms period, Wei illustrates each character with the architectural and floral references of the poem using ink and gold acrylic coloured brushstrokes.