A tribute to Monet by T'ang Haywen. [Photo provided to China Daily]

French-Chinese artist T'ang Haywen (1927-91) was famous for exploring the full potential of Chinese ink art during his decadeslong residence in Paris since 1948.

An ongoing exhibition in Hong Kong marks his commitment to crossing the boundaries of traditional ink painting through a display of some 40 paintings he made in the 1960s and ’70s.

T'ang saw ink painting as a carefree way of expression. His works embody feelings of happiness, playfulness, solitude and loss. He once said: "My painting is neither figurative nor abstract, … I seek an art free from constraint, within which I feel free to evolve."

T'ang was born in Xiamen in East China's Fujian province. His family immigrated to Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam, in the 1930s to escape war. He attended a French school while practicing Chinese ink painting and calligrapher under the guidance of his grandfather.

He inherited the simplicity and grace of Eastern aesthetics and was inspired by Chinese philosophy. Steeped in the energy of Western art, he modernized the ink language and leveraged it to be internationally recognized.

The exhibition at Christie's art space runs through Nov 3.

A self portrait by T'ang Haywen. [Photo provided to China Daily]

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