WHAT

Chinese-French artist Zao Wou-Ki (1920-2013) worked primarily in oil, watercolour, and ink, also occasionally creating engravings and lithographs. Arriving in Paris in 1948, Zao was inspired and enlightened by the French capital, and the admiration of Henri Matisse (1869-1954) and Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) during his formative years evolved, and throughout his artistic career he would continue to be influenced by Western Modernism, in particular Impressionism and Expressionism. The current exhibition uncovers the complex facets and layers of Zao’s artistic journey from China, around the world and ultimately, back to his native homeland.

WHY

Transcending the boundaries of tradition, Zao created a highly-individual visual language of his own, for which he became famous. The well-curated presentation features exceptional and rarely-seen works, including oil paintings, ink works, and watercolours. Through research into newly-discovered archive interviews with the artist, the exhibition aims to shed light on a lesser-known aspect of Zao Wou-Ki and his relationship with China, its history and culture. During his early and late period, Zao often evoked the ideas and artistic styles of ancient China, embodying a sense of freedom without being confined to any school or movement in the process.