Lot 276: LIAO CHI-CHUN (LIAO JICHUN)

LIAO CHI-CHUN (LIAO JICHUN) 1902-1976 ANCIENT CASTLE IN SPAIN signed C. Liao and signed in Chinese (lower left) Executed in 1965 THIS IS A PREMIUM LOT. CLIENTS WHO WISH TO BID ON PREMIUM LOTS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE THE PREMIUM LOT PRE-REGISTRATION 3 WORKING DAYS PRIOR TO THE SALE. BIDnow ONLINE BIDDING SERVICE IS NOT AVALIABLE. oil on canvas 72.5 by 91cm.; 28 1/2 by 35 4/5in.

Taipei, Cathay United Art Museum, Liao Chi-chun Exhibition, 1981
Taipei, Taipei Art Museum, Liao Jichun-Spain, Toledo, 1993

Liao Chi-chun's Painting Collection, Taiwan, 1989, Cathay United Art Museum Publishing, pp. 69, 195, cover.
Taiwan Fine Art Volume 4: Liao Chi-chun, Taipei, Taiwan, 1992, Taiwan Fine Arts Series Publishing, pp. 112-113, cover.
Liao Chi-chun - Spain, Toledo, Taiwan, 1993, Taipei Art Museum Publisher, pp. 25
Ascendant Artist Collection-Family Art Museum: Liao Jichun, Taipei, 1997, Lionhead Publishing Co. Ltd., pp. 138-139
Sotheby's Hong Kong, Modern and Contemporary Art Evening Sale, Hong Kong, 2008, Auction Catalogue, pp.88-89

Private Asian Collection

Ancient Castle in Spain is a brilliant work created by the artist in 1965. Liao Chi-Chun applies bold brushstrokes to the bare linen canvas, and through the artist's accurate colour-contrasting palette of bright blues, yellow, red, white and black and the use of simple outline, the streets of a city emerge out of the canvas, portraying to the viewer a fun and carefree feeling. In the central part of the canvas a large white castle gleams in the blue sky and a yellow sunshine-like tone is scattered across the canvas as if spilling from the heavens to the ground below. Looking at this work, one can almost feel the heat of the Spanish afternoon sun, as the trees on the lower left gradually turn red as if burning in the heat. The grandeur, brightness and liveliness of this work convey to the viewer feelings of harmony and beauty as well as transmitting a light-hearted rhythm throughout its composition. No meaning is lost despite the abstract style of this work. In the words of Lin Xingyue:

"There are no deep philosophical riddles in Liao Chi-Chun's works, nor are there any mysterious symbolic meanings. If anyone has the heart to approach them, they can rely on their strong sense of intuition so as to become wonderfully light-headed in the beautiful and glorious light."[1]

The inner-mysteries of Liao Chi-Chun's work are comprehendible to all who view them.

[1] "Crossing the age rainbow – The Life and Art of Liao Chi-chun" by Lin Xingyu. In Fine Arts Series 4 – Liao Chi-chun, Taipei, Taiwan, 1992. p.17