Guo Zhen

signed in Chinese and marked with an artsist's seal, executed in 1984, framed

Acquired directly from the artist by the present owner

This work is generally in good condition.There are scattered hairline creases across the surface, which is consistent with the medium. Upon close inspection, there is a patch of paper loss measuring ca. 0.5cm on the lower right quadrant. Please note that it was not examined under ultraviolet light and out of its frame.
"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."

A Chinese artist working in the United States, Guo Zhen is steeped in the Chinese ink painting tradition having taught at the Chinese Painting Department of the China Academy of Art since the 1980s. Since settling in New York in 1986, Guo Zhen has participated frequently in exhibitions. A Child’s View from 1984 testifies to Guo’s new style of ink painting from earlier in his career. The painting focuses on a girl in a red shirt seated quietly in a crowd. Next to her is a goat, and next to it a mysterious object from which several lines emanate. Although executed in the ink medium, this painting does not depict the traditional subjects of landscapes, birds, and flowers, but rather a quotidian street scene. The men in the foreground are wearing generic black pants, but their fashionable shoes evoke China’s opening after the economic reform. A Child’s View thus embodies a historical consciousness. In recent years, Guo Zhen has been invited many times to exhibit works in China, including in the “Ink as Model” group exhibition at the Sanchuan Modern Art Museum organised by the renowned curator Gao Minglu.