Zao Wou-Ki - Buy or Sell artwork by 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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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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zao Wou-Ki

Untitled

4 3/4 x 12 7/8 in 12.1 x 32.7 cm

etching and aquatint on paper

Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000 CDN

Sold for: $5,313 CDN (premium included)

International Editions on Thursday, October 29, 2020

Zao Wou-Ki

Sans titre

17 x 21 3/4 in 43.2 x 55.2 cm

etching and aquatint

Estimate: $3,000 - $4,000 CDN

Sold for: $4,680 CDN (premium included)

April 2014 - 1st Session on Thursday, April 24, 2014