- 609
Wilson Shieh (Shieh Ka Ho)
Description
- Wilson Shieh (Shieh Ka Ho)
- The Princess is Dead
- ink, watercolour and gouache dyed on silk, framed
Provenance
Private Collection, USA
Exhibited
Condition
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Wielding traditional Chinese gongbi technique in his work, Wilson Shieh capitalizes on subject matter derived from Hong Kong metropolitan life. Every aspect of his work is tightly controlled. Tremendous attention is paid to the kind of brushes he uses, the shifting chromatic intensities of watercolours or ink and the overall tonality of the composition. The interaction between watercolour and ink is like a metaphor for Chinese painting waltzing together with Western painting. Characters in his works cover a wide spectrum, though they all seem to eschew gender categorization or emotional expression. Lying in the midst of such ambiguity is the artist's penchant for scrutinizing the taboo theme of "sex". The Princess is Dead (Lot 609) is rare in its deployment of subject matter extracted from American culture. The work was shown at his solo exhibition Ladyland, where an investigation of the female identity was carried out pictorially. It features Disney character Snow White lying lifeless across the center, flanked by two dwarves. Entranced in their chess game, they display complete disregard for the death of the princess. The artist's dexterous application of colours is executed so that the blue shirt and yellow skirt of the princess are rendered diaphanous, thus revealing her underwear. Their voyeurism satisfied, the dwarves continue with their battle on the chessboard. Constantly challenging the moral compass of his audience, Wilson Shieh makes blatant statements through exposing the unmentionable, yet through a refined brush that adheres ever so loyally to traditional Chinese painting.