You Shaozhan (Jackson Yu) 1911-1999

When You Shaozhan sold his business and returned to the art world at the age of 76, he also put away Chinese brushes and returned to western modern painting featuring figure painting with Expressionist influence. "Girl with Red Shirt" (Lot 5) is a perfect example of You Shaozhan's artistic preference after retirement. The work was exhibited at the Seibu Department Store and Taipei Fine Art Museum in 1991 and 1992 respectively. 

You Shaozhan has actively participated in the Hong Kong art scene since the late 1950's. He was an enthusiastic abstract oil painter and opened his own gallery, the Sally Jackson Art Gallery in 1963. Even though the gallery was finally closed down in 1967, You Shaozhan still remains active in art circle. He was an active member of the Illustrious Circle Art Group which included the foremost avant-garde Hong Kong artists like Hon Chi-fun, Cheung Yee, Van Lau etc.

However, You Shaozhan decided to work as a businessman and pursued his interest in Classical Chinese painting. Under Peng Ji Ming¡¦s mentorship, You Shaozhan devoted himself to the serene world of Yuan and Ming landscape art.

Being able to sell his business, You Shaozhan built himself a studio in the heart of Hong Kong. "I locked myself up in this hermitage, under the light of a row of windows facing the sea I prepared myself for a fresh start in painting." You Shaozhan sensed a strong urge to change, "I asked myself what the green mountains and misty peaks have to do with my life in the twentieth century, living in a jungle of concrete skyscrapers."

"Modern life has been shaped by an extremely scientific, highly rational frame of mind. Daily social issues and political dramas flicker by like illusory images in a kaleidoscope. I am attracted to all these modern images, I am seduced by their bright colours and strong emotions. These images do not fit in a landscape of meditative calm." To fully respond to his environment, You Shaozhan decided to quell the inner urges of his heart and put tradition aside. The answer appeared: figure painting.

Vivid in colour and high in contrast, You's figure painting reflects how he was still dynamic as well as passionate even after retirement. As Girl with Red Shirt (Lot 5) reveals, You Shaozhan freed himself of painterly proportions, correct perspective, pictorial logic and norm.

You described his relationship with his painting as "The people in my pictures accompany me and give encouragement as I paint. I speak to them, and they to me. I think usually figure painters are a bit nervous" Departing from Western modern painting to Classical Chinese painting, and finally settling down in the realm of figure painting, You Shaozhan openly revealed his tireless quest for originality throughout his life.