Wu Wen-Yau (1935-)

Oil Painting

1998

Length:27 x Width:35 (cm)

This painting, Temple Fair, was completed by Wu in 1998 at the age of 63. He often observed temple fairs as a child. In this work, he integrates imagination and personal experience to create an illusory image of crowds attending a fair. He also reveals the banners used by parading battle arrays. You can almost hear the deafening sounds of drums and gongs as the faithful enthusiastically welcome their god.
From the 1990s, this artist began using sound-sense painting techniques. Early on, he became known for his fine brushwork. But, in recent years, he has used a new mix of oil-based media to create flowing calligraphy-like and rendering effects, presenting artistic conceptions that combine elements of Chinese water and ink paintings and calligraphy. His works are always highly interesting, no matter if representational or abstract.

Accession number:A0160