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Lot Essay
On behalf of the Asian Cultural Council (ACC) and our global Boards of Trustees, we are delighted to continue our partnership with Christie's for a special auction of Liu Kuo-sung's ink painting, Untitled (1966). We are honored to showcase one of ACC's earliest grantees, whose work transcends cultural divides through innovations of material, theory, and technique.
Asian Cultural Counci l advances international dialogue, understanding, and respect by providing artists, scholars, and arts professionals opportunities for cultural exchange across Asia and the United States. Founded by John D. Rockefeller 3rd in 1963, ACC has invested over $100 million towards more than 6,000 exchanges across 26 countries and regions over the past six decades. Building on the success of ACC & Christie's July 2020 auction, proceeds from this sale will support fellowships, grants, and educational opportunities for the next generation of visionary arts leaders.
Liu Kuo-sung (B. 1932) is an artist, writer, and arts educator. Born in Anhui, China, Liu settled in Taiwan in 1949 and later graduated from the Fine Arts Department of National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU). In 1966, Liu was one of the earliest artists to receive a grant from the Asian Cultural Council, known then as the Asian Cultural Program of the JDR 3rd Fund. This two-year grant supported Liu to serve as artist-in-residence at the University of Iowa and research contemporary art in the United States. Trained in both Western and traditional Chinese painting, Liu co-founded the Fifth Moon Group in 1956. The pioneering group is credited with the development of modern art in Taiwan through its incorporation of abstract expressionism into traditional Chinese ink painting. Throughout his career, Liu has innovated new materials and techniques—among them, "Liu Kuo-sung paper," characterized by a layer of thick fibers affixed to cotton paper. As seen in Untitled (1966), color and ink are added to the surface, then fibers are removed, giving rise to atmospheric, abstract forms in white. Known today as the "father of Modern Chinese ink painting," Liu Kuo-sung continues to encourage the development of contemporary ink art through his prolific artistic practice, research, and teaching.
Wendy O' Neill
Chairman, Asian Cultural Council
For more information, visit asianculturalcouncil.org.
Asian Cultural Counci l advances international dialogue, understanding, and respect by providing artists, scholars, and arts professionals opportunities for cultural exchange across Asia and the United States. Founded by John D. Rockefeller 3rd in 1963, ACC has invested over $100 million towards more than 6,000 exchanges across 26 countries and regions over the past six decades. Building on the success of ACC & Christie's July 2020 auction, proceeds from this sale will support fellowships, grants, and educational opportunities for the next generation of visionary arts leaders.
Liu Kuo-sung (B. 1932) is an artist, writer, and arts educator. Born in Anhui, China, Liu settled in Taiwan in 1949 and later graduated from the Fine Arts Department of National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU). In 1966, Liu was one of the earliest artists to receive a grant from the Asian Cultural Council, known then as the Asian Cultural Program of the JDR 3rd Fund. This two-year grant supported Liu to serve as artist-in-residence at the University of Iowa and research contemporary art in the United States. Trained in both Western and traditional Chinese painting, Liu co-founded the Fifth Moon Group in 1956. The pioneering group is credited with the development of modern art in Taiwan through its incorporation of abstract expressionism into traditional Chinese ink painting. Throughout his career, Liu has innovated new materials and techniques—among them, "Liu Kuo-sung paper," characterized by a layer of thick fibers affixed to cotton paper. As seen in Untitled (1966), color and ink are added to the surface, then fibers are removed, giving rise to atmospheric, abstract forms in white. Known today as the "father of Modern Chinese ink painting," Liu Kuo-sung continues to encourage the development of contemporary ink art through his prolific artistic practice, research, and teaching.
Wendy O' Neill
Chairman, Asian Cultural Council
For more information, visit asianculturalcouncil.org.