Press Release

Zao Wou-Ki represents the perfect symbol of reconciliation – Wou-Ki means ‘no limits’ in Chinese – a prescient forename for an artist who embraced different cultural identities without ever being beholden to one.

Villepin Gallery will open its doors with an exhibition entitled ‘Friendship & Reconciliation’, celebrating the late Chinese French artist Zao Wou-Ki, who was a close friend of the Villepin family. The exhibition will feature rare paintings by the artist from the 1950s to the early 2000s and will include a selection of oil paintings, Chinese inks, watercolors and private collection of the founders. An exhibition catalogue, featuring a presentation by Dominique de Villepin on the exhibition and an essay by Arthur de Villepin on the art of collecting, will accompany the show.

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About the Artist

Born in Beijing, Zao Wou-Ki (1920-2013) worked predominantly in oils, watercolor and ink, but also experimented with engraving and lithography. Wou-Ki means ‘no limits’ in Chinese – a prescient forename for an artist who em- braced different cultural identities without ever being beholden to one. In 1948, Zao relocated to Paris. The French capital was an inspiration for Zao, who had idolized Matisse and Picasso in his formative years and continued to be influenced by Western modernism and the work of the Impressionists and Expressionists.

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About the Gallery
Shaped by Dominique and Arthur de Villepin’s passion for art, Villepin is a new gallery model created by collectors for collectors. Founded in 2019 in Hong Kong, Villepin is specialized in selected important artists, estates and foundations, advocating their work through carefully curated exhibitions while bridging them with the leading collectors and institutions in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world. Beyond its gallery walls, Villepin also acts as curator for exhibitions in museums and institutions.

Each exhibition at Villepin is based on in-depth scholarship and offers a unique experience to immerse visitors in the life and art of each artist. Previous exhibitions have also produced special bilingual publications that include original essays and curatorial research. Artists presented by Villepin include Zao Wou-Ki, Myonghi Kang, Pierre Soulages, Georges Mathieu and Hans Hartung among others.

As curator and advisor to a close community of collectors, Villepin is focused on education and promoting scholarship of its artists through intimate salons and collaborations with leading institutions, foundations, universities and museums. Through their extensive experience in building close friendships with artists, the father-son partnership aims to share their expertise, encourage dialogue, and support collectors in building long-lasting relationships with artists, who are at the heart of Villepin’s initiatives.
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Hong Kong 53-55 Hollywood Road, Central
Villepin
53-55 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Opening hours
Tuesday - Sunday (By appointment only)
11am - 7pm
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