Zao Wou-Ki Masterpiece at Heffel Fine Art Auction House

Zao Wou-Ki Masterpiece at Heffel Fine Art Auction House artlover808

Zao Wou-ki, 5.11.62, oil on canvas, signed, 32 x 46 inches, Pre-sale estimate: $400,000 - $600,000 CAD.

TORONTO, CANADA.- The Heffel Fine Art Auction House in Toronto will be offering a magnificent, large scale Zao Wou-ki canvas, completed by the artist in 1962, for sale in the upcoming April auction of Fine International Art. This important painting, from the most sought period of the 1950s to the 1960s, has never been offered for sale on the public market. 5.11.62, titled after its date of execution, was acquired directly from the artist by Laing Galleries, Toronto and subsequently sold to the present Private Collection shortly thereafter. G. Blair Laing, the renowned Toronto art dealer, began making trips to Paris in the mid- 1950s to meet some of the Canadian artists who had moved to Paris to study, and to potentially acquire new inventory to offer Canadian collectors. He was excited by the work of the Canadian School of Paris artists such as Pellan, Borduas and Riopelle, amongst others, and subsequently went on to represent Riopelle in Canada. It is likely that through this association Laing was introduced to Zao Wou-ki. "We are fortunate to have had pioneer dealers in Canada such as G. Blair Laing who brought Zao Wou-Ki to Canada, and now these masterworks are resurfacing 40 years later, fresh to an enthusiastic International Art Market." remarks Robert Heffel, co-owner of Heffel fine Art Auction House. Zao Wou-ki came to Paris from China in 1948 as a result of political troubles and civil war in his homeland, and to continue his studies of modern art. He quickly became one of the most important artists of the Tachisme Movement, a group that also included Jean Dubuffet, Sam Francis and Jean-Paul Riopelle. This Paris-based Chinese artist has works in major collections and museums worldwide, and is one of the most successful Chinese artists of the 20th century. The sale will close on April 28, 2007. During this time the work will be previewed at Heffel's Toronto viewing showroom location at 13 Hazelton Avenue, as well as at www.heffel.com.