1973-12

Artists

Description

Reds and pinks are juxtaposed with black ink and varied hues of brown. The resulting fiery contrast adds drama to the striking forms. Although there is a gestural power in these shapes, they are constructed deliberately, just as the layering of colors is calculated. While welcoming accident and spontaneity, the artist carefully controlled his process. Feng Zhongrui, who had moved from China to Taiwan in 1949, was active in the modernist movement led by members of the Fifth Moon Group. Together with Liu Guosong, he explored concepts of abstraction and nonobjective painting, taking inspiration in part from the American abstract expressionists and enlisting Chinese media in novel ways.

Dimensions

painting proper: 52 cm (20 1/2 in.) full mounting: 85 x 61.9 cm (33 7/16 x 24 3/8 in.)

Provenance

Feng Zhongrui, Taiwan (1973), probably gift; to Chu-tsing Li, Lawrence, Kansas (1973-2012), gift; to his son B U.K. Li, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (2012-2013), gift; to Harvard Art Museums, 2013. Footnotes: 1. Dr. Chu-tsing Li (1920-2014)