Cai Heng

The stunning breadth of one of the most extensive private collections of ink art in Singapore is made public in Rediscovering Treasures: Ink Art from the Xiu Hai Lou Collection. Full-colour image plates showcase works which range from the ancient aesthetics of Ming and Qing painting and calligraphy through to the prized masterpieces of 20th-century ink masters, while newly commissioned essays analyse the unique place of the Collection in local art history. Rounding out the catalogue is an exclusive interview with the current custodians of the Collection who reflect on the trajectory of its storied history.

A giant among artists of his generation, Wu Guanzhong is celebrated for his distinctive synergy of Western oil painting and Chinese ink aesthetics, as well as his modernisation of Chinese ink painting. The impulse to highlight Wu's unique practice and his contributions to the discourse of modern Chinese painting drives the exhibition Beauty Beyond Form at National Gallery Singapore, which spans 50 years of his career. Including full-colour reproductions of works from the exhibition and a detailed bigraphical timeline, this catalogue also features essays that offer insight into Wu's beliefs in relation to the function of art.

Wu Guanzhong has gone further than any of his contemporaries in fusing Western and Chinese art traditions, and stands as one of the greatest artists of 20th-century China. A prolific artist and essayist, Wu was one of the few Chinese artists to have established a name for himself both in Asia and the West. This beautiful volume featuring essays, over 100 artwork images and a detailed bigraphical timeline, celebrates Wu's art, life, remarkable achievements and donation to Singapore- the single largest donation made by the Chinese master to any public museum.