MUNICH.- “28.3.71” is one of the rare oil paintings by the Peking artist Zao Wou-Ki to be sold in Germany. On 8 Dec. 2012, it will come up at auction, for an estimated price of € 300,000 – € 400,000, at the renowned auction house Ketterer Kunst in Munich.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to auction this impressive work, for unlike any other artist, Zao Wou-Ki is able to masterfully combine oriental calligraphy with the European Informel. With apparent effortlessness, he guides the traditions of the different cultures toward each other and then lets them melt together,” says Robert Ketterer, auctioneer and owner of Ketterer Kunst. He further notes: “I am very curious to see if this piece of art will remain in the Western world or if the artist’s countrymen will prevail.”

With its discreet, yet very expressive color and the pairing of wide brushstrokes with finely and tenderly drawn lines, another captivating work by Wou-Ki, a watercolor painted in 1960, will be up for sale during this auction for an estimated starting price of € 30,000-40,000.

At the young age of fourteen, Zao Wou-Ki began his studies at the Hangchow (Hangzhou) Art Academy. Six years later he became a professor there. In 1948 he emigrated to Paris and made the acquaintance of Henri Michaux, Alberto Giacometti and Joan Miró. Wou-Ki was greatly impressed by the European modernists, although he never forgot his Chinese roots. As a result, he is able to create poetically abstract paintings invoking landscaped cosmic associations and unifying oriental and occidental traditions. The artist has received many honorary doctorates for his work, as well as the Japanese Premium Imperial Award. In addition, Wou-Ki’s work has been shown at major international exhibits, including the Biennale in Venice, Italy.