Lot 37

East and West Art Gallery, Melbourne, acquired directly from the artist.

Ding Yanyong (1902-1978) was a pioneering Chinese modernist celebrated for blending Chinese ink traditions with modern Western art. Often hailed as the "Matisse of the East" and the "Bada Shanren of Modern Times," Ding masterfully bridged Eastern and Western art, forging a unique and deeply personal artistic language that transcended cultural boundaries.

Born in Maoming, Guangdong, Ding was among the first Chinese artists to study Western painting abroad. From 1919 to 1925, he trained in Fauvism and Expressionism at the prestigious Tokyo School of Fine Arts in Japan. Upon returning to China, he became a key figure in the New Art Movement, advocating for the integration of Western techniques into Chinese art and reforming traditional aesthetics. A dedicated educator, Ding taught in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chongqing, before relocating to Hong Kong in 1949, where he continued teaching and creating until his passing in 1978.

In 1957, Ding co-founded the Fine Arts Department of New Asia College, which later became part of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. His work has been exhibited widely, both in mainland China before 1949 and internationally afterward.

Ding's turning point came in 1929 when he deeply engaged with the Chinese literati tradition, drawing inspiration from seventeenth-century master Bada Shanren, ancient calligraphy, seal carving, and archaeological artifacts. His later works, particularly in ink, are known for their simplicity, expressive brushwork, and poetic rhythm-most notably in his flower, bird, and figure paintings. His deep immersion in traditional forms also transformed his oil paintings, infusing them with calligraphic flair and bold expression.

A master of both oil and ink, Ding Yanyong remains one of the most influential figures in modern Chinese art-an artist who redefined tradition through modernity.