Richard Lin 1933-2011
No.11.11, 1963
oil on canvas, with relief in Perspex and aluminium
40 1/8 x 40 1/8 in
102 x 102 cm
102 x 102 cm
signed, dated and titled verso
'White is the most ordinary of colours, it is also the most extraordinary; it is the absence of colour, it is also the sum of colours; it is the most...
'White is the most ordinary of colours, it is also the most extraordinary; it is the absence of colour, it is also the sum of colours; it is the most majestic of colours, it is also the most common; it is the colour of tranquillity, it is also the colour of grief.' (Richard Lin)
After the Second World War, Asian artists such as Richard Lin, Zao Wou-ki, Chu Teh-Chun and Hsiao Chin travelled to Europe to study art, bringing with them the aesthetics of Chinese culture. In Europe the focus post-war was abstract art and coincidentally, this group of Asian artists all turned their attention to this international trend, offering their own interpretations with their Eastern perspectives. Lin with his minimalist approach was foremost in this group in developing his own unique language of abstraction, infusing Western abstract expressionism with Chinese philosophies and cultural elements. At first glance, his paintings resemble Western geometric abstraction, but the deeper spirit within comes from the East and won him widespread recognition from the international art world.
After the Second World War, Asian artists such as Richard Lin, Zao Wou-ki, Chu Teh-Chun and Hsiao Chin travelled to Europe to study art, bringing with them the aesthetics of Chinese culture. In Europe the focus post-war was abstract art and coincidentally, this group of Asian artists all turned their attention to this international trend, offering their own interpretations with their Eastern perspectives. Lin with his minimalist approach was foremost in this group in developing his own unique language of abstraction, infusing Western abstract expressionism with Chinese philosophies and cultural elements. At first glance, his paintings resemble Western geometric abstraction, but the deeper spirit within comes from the East and won him widespread recognition from the international art world.
Provenance
Alcoa Collection of Contemporary Art, USA;Austin-Desmond Fine Art, London, label attached to the reverse;
Private Collection, London.
Exhibitions
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Museum of American Art, Carnegie Institute, 1957? cat.no.42(?), labels attached to reverse;New York, The American Federation of Arts, 'Alcoa Collection of Contemporary Art', Sep 1967 - July 1971, cat.no.32, labels attached to reverse.
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