On the eve of Art Basel, the United Bank of Switzerland released a report stating that art sales increased by 10% in the first half of 2021. The sales growth of Asian distributors was the strongest, rising by an average of 18%. ink wash painter and calligrapher Wu, Li-Ying, exhibited his new work “Autumn Waterfall and Red Maple,” which has attracted the attention of experts and collectors.
Taipei, Taiwan (Business Northeast) – Art is the source of motivation for many people’s lives. The covid-19 affects various industries worldwide, but the Asian art market has grown by nearly 20% in the first half of 2021, attracting the attention of collectors around the world. The Taipei Ink Wash Painting Research Association recently held its annual Member Joint Exhibition at the Cultural Art Gallery of the Taipei City Council, Taiwan. During the event, 75 famous calligraphy and painting artists were invited to exhibit nearly a hundred works. In addition, ink wash painter and calligrapher Wu, Li-Ying, showed new work, “Autumn Waterfall and Red Maple.” The exquisite painting technique attracted many calligraphy and painting collectors and the public to participate in the event actively.
According to the United Bank of Switzerland report, the entire industry’s sales increased by 10% in the first half of 2021. Distributor sales in Asia are the region with the most significant growth, with an average gain of 18% in 12 months, of which the Greater China business grew by 6%. Furthermore, 37% of the respondents believe that the profitability in 2021 will be higher than that in 2020, and another third of the respondents predict that their profitability will remain stable. The largest distributor with a turnover of more than US$10 million is the most optimistic about its profitability this year. Furthermore, 43% of distributors expect the net profit margin to be higher than last year, indicating that the art market is heating up and the Asian art market is attracting attention.
The international market is gradually favoring the ink wash painter market. Wu, Li-Ying, who is good at creating ink wash paint, has attracted attention from all walks of life. “Autumn Waterfall and Red Maple” depicts autumn scenery, combining clouds, waterfalls, and autumn maple leaves. Through the intensity and lightness of the ink, it highlights the magnificent momentum of the waterfall venting downwards. The red maple leaves make the painting distinct. The painting is dotted with birds, showing the liveliness and vividness of the creatures, and guiding the viewers to appreciate the connotation of the work.
Wu, Li-Ying was born in Hsinchu City, Taiwan. She has been in contact with ink wash paint for more than 30 years. Her paintings are collected in various provincial art museums in China. The pictures are elegant and soft, with vigorous and delicate brushstrokes, combining Eastern and Western painting techniques. Wu, Li-Ying not only specializes in creative skills but is also good at using diversified art communication methods. Wu, Li-Ying said: “An artist is not only an art creator but also a disseminator of culture, hoping to let the painters appreciate the aesthetics of ink wash paint paint and calligraphy.”
Ink wash paint and calligraphy are representatives of ink wash art. The primary ink wash paint only uses water and ink, only black and white. Later, that developed other colorful ink paintings and color paintings. The characteristics of ink wash paint are: focusing on meaning without focusing on entities, and a small part of the painting retains pure white. The Taipei Ink Wash Painting Research Association regularly organizes member works exhibitions every year, with ink wash paint and calligraphy as the theme, and promotes traditional calligraphy and painting art.
After visiting the member exhibition of the Taipei Ink Painting Research Association, be sure to appreciate Art Basel. The exhibition will be held in Basel, Switzerland, from September 20th to 26th, 2021. This is the second time Art Basel has appeared in Europe since 2019. Two exclusive exhibition areas were planned for the exhibition, including the “Infinite” exhibition area and the “Parcours” exhibition area all over Basel, which will open a new milestone for contemporary art.
