LOS ANGELES——The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) announced the acquisition of Zeng Fanzhi’s Untitled (2018) to its permanent collection. The museum purchased the painting with funds generously donated by Dominic and Ellen Ng. In the past year the museum has strengthened its holdings in Chinese art with major acquisitions including the promised gift of Gérard and Dora Cognié’s collection of global contemporary ink paintings and calligraphy. The addition of Zeng’s painting will further strengthen the museum’s growing contemporary Chinese art collection. Zeng’s painting will be on view at LACMA March 2019 in the Ahmanson Building.
“In recent years, LACMA has been building relationships with partners in China while deepening our commitment to the study, interpretation, and display of Chinese art, particularly contemporary art made by Chinese artists,” said Michael Govan, LACMA CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director. “Dominic and Ellen are steadfast supporters of LACMA and our collaborations with Chinese arts institutions and artists. Their exemplary support for the acquisition of Zeng Fanzhi’s Untitled to LACMA’s growing collection of contemporary Chinese art underscores their commitment to Chinese art and artists, both in the United States and China.”
“Zeng Fanzhi is one of the leading figures in the Chinese art world today, and this monumental painting is a major addition to LACMA’s permanent collection. We are deeply grateful to Dominic and Ellen Ng for their generosity in introducing such a compelling work and artist to LACMA’s collection. In the past two years, LACMA has greatly strengthened its collection of contemporary Chinese art. As we turn the corner into 2019, we look forward to the March unveiling of this magnificent painting, the June 2nd opening of the exhibition The Allure of Matter: Material Art from China, our engagement with the Yuz Museum in Shanghai,and the promised gift of 400 works of contemporary ink painting from the Gérard and Dora Cognié Collection,” said Stephen Little, Florence and Harry Sloan curator of Chinese art and department head, Chinese and Korean art, LACMA.
“I believe that art can help bridge cultures and promote mutual understanding between people with different perspectives,” says Dominic Ng, Chairman and CEO of East West Bank. “Chinese contemporary art has emerged as one of the most compelling areas of the global art landscape. The addition of a piece by Zeng Fanzhi—who is considered by many to be China’s greatest living artist—exemplifies Michael Govan’s vision to showcase a broad range of artistic voices and contributes to the ongoing cultural exchange between the East and the West.”
Art, Purchased with funds provided by Dominic and Ellen Ng, artist © Zeng Fanzhi 2019
