Zao Wou-Ki (趙無極; 1920–2013) was a painter born in China who settled in Paris in 1948 and became a major figure of post-war abstraction. Drawing on both Chinese artistic traditions and Western modernism, he developed a distinctive visual language that united calligraphic gesture with the freedom and scale of abstract painting.
His work is characterised by layered colour, dynamic brushwork and expansive spaces that suggest movement, light and the forces of nature. Forms appear to emerge and dissolve within the composition, creating an atmosphere that is both energetic and contemplative.
Working across painting, ink, watercolour and printmaking, Zao continually explored the relationship between gesture, colour and space. His graphic works retain the intensity and poetic quality of his paintings, combining expressive movement with a refined sense of balance and depth.
Collections & Illustrated Series
Explore our collection of Zao Wou-Ki works:
Individual works, 1967-1991
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