Zao Wou-Ki
Zao Wou-Ki
1921 - 2013
Born in Beijing in 1921, Zao Wou-Ki studied both western and traditional Chinese art at the School of Fine Arts of Hangzhou, later becoming a professor in the city of Hangzhou. In the early 1940s his work was exhibited in Chongjing and Shanghai, and around this time he also organized the first exhibition of modern Chinese painters at the National Historical Museum of Tchoung-King.

As a result of the political troubles and civil war that China was experiencing at the time, Zao Wou-Ki was forced to flee to Paris in 1948. There he absorbed international art in the city's museums, and studied lithography under Émile Othon-Friesz in 1949. His work is said to have been admired by artists such as Henri Michaux, Joan Miro, Fernand Léger and Picasso, and he formed lasting friendships with many artists living in Paris at the time, including Jean-Paul Riopelle, Pierre Soulages and Sam Francis.

While living in France, Zao Wou-Ki developed a style that was inspired by Chinese calligraphy and influenced by the work of Paul Klee. He became successful quite rapidly, and in addition to participating in an exhibition of Chinese painters in Paris, his work was shown at the Musée Cernuschi, the Salon de Mai and the Salons des Tuileries and d'Automne. Solo exhibitions of his work were held in Bern, Geneva and Paris.

Interested in expressing the unity of all things, from 1954 Zao Wou-Ki rejected figurative painting in favour of lyrical abstraction. Although he did not become a French citizen until 1964, Zao Wou-Ki represented France at the 40th International Exhibition at the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburgh in 1956, and at the Venice Bienniale in 1960. Other notable exhibitions took place at the Maeght Foundation in Saint-Paul-de-Vence and the San Franciso Museum of Art, as well as a retrospective show at the Montreal Museum of Fine Art and the Musee nationale des beaux-arts du Quebec in 1969.
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AVAILABLE WORKS
HEFFEL’S TOP RESULTS
5.11.62 by Zao Wou-Ki sold for $718,750
Zao Wou-Ki
5.11.62
32 x 46 in, 81.3 x 116.8 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $400,000 - $600,000 CDN
Sold for: $718,750 CDN (premium included)
April 2007 1st Session on Saturday, April 28, 2007
Untitled by Zao Wou-Ki sold for $310,500
Zao Wou-Ki
Untitled
21 1/2 x 25 3/4 in, 54.6 x 65.4 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $275,000 - $325,000 CDN
Sold for: $310,500 CDN (premium included)
April 2006 - 3rd Session on Saturday, April 29, 2006
Chargement d'un cargo by Zao Wou-Ki sold for $253,000
Zao Wou-Ki
Chargement d'un cargo
14 7/8 x 18 in, 37.8 x 45.7 cm
oil on fibre board
Estimate: $60,000 - $90,000 CDN
Sold for: $253,000 CDN (premium included)
October 2007 - 1st Session on Saturday, October 27, 2007
Untitled by Zao Wou-Ki sold for $80,500
Zao Wou-Ki
Untitled
25 1/2 x 22 in, 64.8 x 55.9 cm
oil on canvas
Estimate: $55,000 - $65,000 CDN
Sold for: $80,500 CDN (premium included)
October 2002 on Saturday, October 26, 2002
Montagnes et soleil by Zao Wou-Ki sold for $11,115
Zao Wou-Ki
Montagnes et soleil
11 7/8 x 17 7/8 in, 30.2 x 45.4 cm
lithograph on paper
Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000 CDN
Sold for: $11,115 CDN (premium included)
October 2013 - 1st Session on Thursday, October 31, 2013
Les voiliers by Zao Wou-Ki sold for $10,530
Zao Wou-Ki
Les voiliers
17 1/4 x 21 3/4 in, 43.8 x 55.2 cm
lithograph on paper
Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000 CDN
Sold for: $10,530 CDN (premium included)
October 2013 - 1st Session on Thursday, October 31, 2013
Untitled by Zao Wou-Ki sold for $7,500
Zao Wou-Ki
Untitled
16 1/2 x 21 3/4 in, 41.9 x 55.2 cm
lithograph on Rives paper
Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000 CDN
Sold for: $7,500 CDN (premium included)
Pop Art Prints & International Graphics on Thursday, April 24, 2025
Forêt perdue by Zao Wou-Ki sold for $6,875
Zao Wou-Ki
Forêt perdue
26 x 20 in, 66 x 50.8 cm
1955
lithograph on paper
Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000 CDN
Sold for: $6,875 CDN (premium included)
International Graphics & Pop Art on Thursday, October 25, 2018
Marine by Zao Wou-Ki sold for $6,250
Zao Wou-Ki
Marine
15 1/2 x 21 1/2 in, 39.4 x 54.6 cm
1952
lithograph on paper
Estimate: $5,000 - $7,000 CDN
Sold for: $6,250 CDN (premium included)
Pop Art Prints & International Graphics on Thursday, April 28, 2022
Untitled (Agerup 119) by Zao Wou-Ki sold for $5,938
Zao Wou-Ki
Untitled (Agerup 119)
23 x 11 3/8 in, 58.4 x 28.9 cm
etching and aquatint on paper
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000 CDN
Sold for: $5,938 CDN (premium included)
International Graphics on Thursday, October 31, 2019