FANG ZHAOLING
Fang Zhaoling (1914 – 2006) was one of the most prominent Hong Kong ink artists of her time. Her works take strong influence from calligraphy, which she explored in depth as a child.
Also known as Lydia Wong, Fang Zhaoling was born in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China in 1914. She initially studied bird and flower painting under Chen Jiucun and landscape painting under Qian Songyan. In her teens, Fang travelled to the United Kingdom to study. As a result, she received her education in both Chinese and Western systems and was proficient in the terms and ideas used in each mode of thought.
This formative time spent abroad allowed her to traverse cultural boundaries with more ease, perhaps informing the universal appeal and themes touched upon in her work. Indeed her practice can be seen as a clear attempt to locate opportunities for development within the tradition of Chinese ink painting, but without ever losing its original language or sentiment.
In 1953, after moving to Hong Kong, she became a student of Zhang Daqian, revered master of Chinese ink painting. Later closely studying works by Qi Baishi, Fang adopted a more free and energetic style, increasingly apparent in her more recent works. The 1960’s – 70’s saw her travel to Brazil and California, continuing to paint alongside Zhang and taking part in numerous overseas exhibitions. Fang Zhaoling passed away in 2006
CAMELLIAS IN THE STYLE OF QI BAISHI
Inscribed in the right-hand margin “Inspired by the ideas of Qi Baishi”, signed “Fang Zhaoling while travelling in Oxford”, with one seal of the artist and the date
1956
Ink and watercolours on xuan paper
68.2 x 37 cm
Provenance:
The Artist, June 1980
Private Collection, Hong Kong
