蕭勤

款識：
Hsiao Chin 1963（中下）
Hsiao勤 63 A chi dà sforza allo spirito dell' uomo（畫背）

阿姆斯特丹佳士得拍賣會（二〇〇〇年六月八日，拍品編號七十七）
亞洲重要私人收藏

This work is in good condition. There is a paint loss 4mm in length, 43 cm from left on the top edge. There is a paint loss around the bottom left corner and black scratches on the bottom edge of the work. There is evidence of slight craquelure on the yellow section and wearing on the edges. There is no evidence of retouching seen under UV.
"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."

蕭勤是中國現代藝術史上一傳奇人物。1935年生於上海，雖貴為「中國音樂之父」蕭友梅的獨子，但幼年時期父母親的早逝讓蕭勤無從享受天倫之樂，隨之而來的中國內戰又迫使他於1949年移居台灣。然而，早年的顛沛流離並沒有讓蕭勤自我放逐；成年之後，他受教於台灣抽象藝術先驅李仲生門下，這個經歷不僅培養了蕭勤對抽象藝術的熱愛，更因為老師的鼓舞，讓他立下了要將中國藝術帶往世界藝壇的決心。1956年，蕭勤與其他七位藝術家聯合成立了華人抽象團體「東方畫會」後，遠赴西班牙求學，又因不滿當時西班牙藝術學院的守舊，決定自動放棄獎學金和學位，並開始將歐洲當時的眾多藝術運動和畫派藉由報紙報導介紹給國人，以此賺取稿費。兩年後，蕭勤再轉往米蘭，並定居於該城市將近半個世紀。也正因人生經歷橫跨多國文化，蕭勤往後的藝術道路才可雋永流長。

於1960年開始，蕭勤嘗試將中國道家思想融入創作，更因對印度和西藏的密宗產生了濃厚興趣，開始將宗教畫的構圖和色彩應用在畫布之上。於1963年創作的《振奮的心靈》，即是在這樣的背景下產生。為了表現宇宙的神秘感，藝術家以顏色鮮麗的背景為底，畫面上方對稱整齊的金黃斜線以下方兩個幾何圓形為基礎向外綻放，構成一太陽和光線的隱喻；再搭配佈滿整個畫布的白色點狀紋路，蕭勤成功營造出作品的肌理和質感，更恰似大氣的波動和震盪，進而建構一幅神秘的宇宙意象。