River Scene, Zhao Shao’ang

Exhibition Label: "Images of the Journey," Jun-2005, Hillary Pedersen Born in Guangdong province in southern China six years before the fall of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Zhao Shao’ang lived through the tumult of war and political change that engulfed twentieth-century China. He was one of the leading masters of the Guangdong school of painting known as the Lingnan School, and enjoyed an international reputation, with exhibitions in Europe and America, as well as Southeast and East Asia. Zhao Shao’ang is another twentieth-century Chinese painter whose art was influenced by extensive travel. As a young artist in the 1930s, he traveled all over northern China. In the face of the Japanese invasion, like many others, he took refuge in Chongqing (Chungking), in the western province of Sichuan. This experience gave him firsthand knowledge of the western Yangzi River region. After the war he returned to Guangzhou, and subsequently moved to Hong Kong. In River Scene, which is undated but was done before 1980, Zhao drew on his knowledge of the Chinese landscape and his experience with violent change. A man wades in the water near his fishing boat, absorbed in his work. This tranquil scene is depicted in light washes that contrast dramatically with the black, almost frantic brushwork used to describe the trees, which appear dynamic and menacing. Archive Label 2003: Zhao Shao'ang lived during a time of political turmoil in China. He traveled extensively throughout the country, once by choice and once to escape the invading Japanese army. As an adult, he moved between Canton and Hong Kong in response to current political realities. In River Scene Zhao drew both on his knowledge of the everyday Chinese landscape and his experience with violent change. A man searching the water wades near his fishing boat, absorbed in his work. This tranquil scene is depicted in light washes that contrast dramatically with the black, almost frantic brushwork that Zhao has used to describe the trees, which appear dynamic and menacing. Archive Label date unknown: As the major second generation Ling-nan School painter in Hong Kong, Chao Shao-ang continued to develop the typical features of the school. As evident in the depiction of the boat and the figure, he inherited the realism of the first-generation pioneers who were inspired by the Western-influenced Japanese paintings at the turn of the century. The use of watercolor breaks from the prevailing monochrome ink tradition in Chinese painting. A feature of Chao Shao-ang's personal style is the rapid movement of his brushstrokes. This love of motion is also echoed in his calligraphy at the upper right corner, which includes the date and the artist's signature.