Lot 1061: GUAN YONG

GUAN YONG
(Born in 1975)
Succession
signed, titled, dated and inscribed 'Succession; oil on canvas; 250 x 170 cm.; 2004; Guan Yong' in Chinese (on reverse)
oil on canvas
250 x 170 cm. (98 1/4 x 67 in.)
Painted in 2004

In the central part of the painting is a fluttering red curtain, with both sides flanked by aristocratic figures. Their different gestures as well as serious and pious faces resemble pensive disciples concentrating on hearing. At the far end, below the curtain, is a group of children that symbolizes the succession of China's history. The scattered books and pen are symbols of intellectuals, ruling classes, and realist writers, but it is the pen that Guan Yong has specially created to represent the intellectual power and the new aristocratic identity. Not only are the figures embodied with the pen-man analogy, their images are also pen-inspired. As Guan said, "[he] intends to highlight the existence and importance of the independent and rethinking power." The heavy colors (In China, red represents auspiciousness or the nation itself; yellow represents an emperor; black represents virtues of nobility, independence and integrity of the emerging aristocratic class.), clean composition, and disciple-like figures are combined to foster an atmosphere of solemn silence and mystery, and to express Guan's views on the historical responsibility and value of the contemporary China's social entity (emerging class).