He Huaishuo (Ho Huai-shuo)

inscribed, signed HE HUAISHUO, dated 1988, and with six seals of the artist

Acquired directly from the artist
Lo Shan Tang, London
An Important Hong Kong Collection

This work is in good condition overall. Framed under Plexiglas.
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Artists inscription:

Yun Shouping (Nan Tian) praised the original Lion Forest as Ni Zan's most spectacular work. Although I haven't seen it, neither did the late Qing painter Gu Heyi who often referred to it. During the beginning of the Guangxu reign [1875-1908], when Gu was travelling around in Suzhou, he commented on the exquisite and dainty garden, which cannot hardly be something created by the common craftsmen.  Throughout history, it has endured the plight of wars, and majestically remains, probably under a divine hand. Recently I've heard that powerful people have been pillaging the garden and taking the stones; The trajectory of history has been broken, truly a great pity. Centuries of great men and their exceptional efforts have provided us with such wonders today. It was not destroyed through war, but through inheritance. Huang Shangu said that children can have many imperfections, but vulgarity is impermissible. (Then) how can we even describe these people?

He Huaishuo is regarded as much for his painting and calligraphy, both in technique and thoughtfulness, as for his contributions to art history and critical theory. Lion Forest is a masterful painting of a classical 14th century Chinese garden of the same name. The labyrinth stone greenery is beautifully rendered with an unforgiving dotted stippling process of ink and colour. His stylistic tone of melancholy envelopes the painting to match the lamentation of great power and legacy of the past in his inscription. This work is an incredible example of He's mature ability to bring painting, calligraphy, and philosophy into the contemporary realm.