Cai JiangBai: Watercolors, Fine Art Auction
Previous Page Listing ID#: 1294996

Auction Location

Virignia Beach, VA 23455
Auction Dates and TimesSALE IS COMPLETED
Friday Jun 25, 2021 Completed
Auction Type
 Live Auction with Online Bidding  VIEW ONLINE CATALOG
Company Information
Blue Box Auction Gallery

Website: www.blueboxauction.com

GoToAuction.com ID#: 9119
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Auction Terms & Conditions Terms & Conditions: PAYMENT AND BIDDER AGREEMENT The following, as amended from time to time, including by any posted notices or announcements during the sale, constitutes the entire terms and conditions, on which lots listed in the online catalog shall be offered for sale or sold by Blue Box Auction Gallery ("BBA"). PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY PRIOR TO BIDDING. Any BBA auction is conducted under these terms and conditions and applicable state, federal and local law. Any person participating or registering for an BBA auction agrees to be bound by and accepts these terms and conditions. BBA herein refers to and includes, the company, its representatives, officers, directors, stockholders, members, managers, employees, consultants, agents, and affiliates. Any announcements or corrections made during a specific auction supersede the terms of this Payment and Bidder Agreement for such auction. 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Listing Information
 Cai JiangBai (蔡江白) is an Asian modern and contemporary artist. Born in Shanghai in 1942, he is a member of the Chinese Artists Association, former Vice President of the Shanghai Watercolor Research Association, and a member of the Watercolor Working Committee of Shanghai Artists Association. He has also had the honor of a visiting professor position at the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts. In his earliest years he studied under well-known artists Yu Yan Wenliang, Li Yongsen, and Ha Ting.

 

This exquisite lot features ten previously unseen works by Cai JiangBai and include more of his interpretive landscape, urban, and rural oriented paintings, whereas other works of his have typically focused on human subjects. Each piece tells a rich and unique story, permitting a rare glimpse into the everyday serenity of life in China through the eyes of a master watercolorist. Cai JiangBai’s museum and gallery quality work is limited in numbers and a perfect adornment for any sized collection of fine art and traditional Chinese aesthetics.

 

For more information about this auction, please visit https://www.blueboxauction.com/featured-auction-event.

 

Preview day for this auction is on June 24th by appointment only. Please email sold@blueboxauction.com or call 757-550-0285 to schedule a time.

 

1
Patron Walking from Marketplace
Sweeping colors wind down the road towards the observer in this landscape painting from Jiang. A river of green and brown mix together and fill the sides of the road, while thoughtfully flicked water strokes from his brush from natural cobblestones on the road. Past the well-worn bridge a figure appears to have begun the journey home from the brightly colored marketplace. With nearly half its population, roughly 600 million people, residing in rural China, it has only recently become a place where modern marketplaces are cropping up. So, it is not surprising to see such a depiction from the last few decades from Jiang. Roadside and smaller stalls like these are vital to everyday commerce and survival in rural China. And here the artist has captured the simplistic beauty of the homegrown atmosphere that still inhabits most of rural China. This slice of life painting deserves a spot to shine and spark conversation.
 

2
Woman Crossing Arched Bridge
Some of the world’s oldest bridges reside in the provinces of China, dating back as far as the Han Dynasty (25-220 AD). Bridges throughout China’s history have been built with arches in shapes such as semicircular (also known as moon bridges as the reflection in water looks like a full moon), elliptical, polygonal, triangular, parabolic, horseshoe, and even egg shape.
The aesthetic features of such bridges were as important in ancient times as they are now. They are famed for their ethereal beauty and have long been depicted in poetry and art alike throughout the centuries. The best-known arch bridge built by the ancient Chinese is Zhaozhou Bridge in Hebei Province. Also known as Anji Bridge or Dashi Bridge, Zhaozhou Bridge is the world’s first stone open-spandrel segmental arch bridge. It’s also the oldest arch bridge in China today with construction starting in 595 AD and taking over a decade to complete. Often considered a piece of art on its own because of its well-proportioned layout, elegant structure, and beautiful appearance. In fact, many stone bridges throughout China have followed these aesthetic ideals in crafting new bridges.
So, it is no wonder that Cai Jiangbai has made a point to capture the beauty of the traditional fixed arch of Chinese bridges in this imposing portrait of one such landmark. Clean and uniform buildings sit just out of view in the background above the river as the marble-colored crossing takes center stage. The painting naturally draws your gaze upward one step at a time, until they suddenly find themselves dipping right back down the other side with the woman at the far end. Each point on the bridge is crowned with a carved stone column that shows off the sturdy and well-crafted nature of the bridge itself. This is further shown in the way the railways of the bridge come down and slide through the pillars and lock in place, leading to visually pleasing architecture. The woman may be swiftly on her way across the bridge and home, but the painting offers a chance to keep this moment in time frozen for all to enjoy.

3
Tujia Diaojiaolou & Gondola
The Tujia people who are native to the Wuling Mountains in China, prefer to live near mountains but close to or sometimes even over rivers or streams. Thus, you’ll find that many Tujia diaojiaolou are either placed directly on the waterfront or hang over the water. The Tujia believe that these stilted houses embody the coexistence of God and man, so the designs of their diaojiaolou often reflect this. Tujia diaojiaolou are hard to come by, since the Tujia people are slowly abandoning their old settlements and wandering lifestyles to assimilate into modern Chinese culture. Though declining, some efforts have been made to preserve the knowledge and display of these villages and housing styles, such as the Tujia Folk Customs Park in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, a large-scale replica of a traditional Tujia village.
Jiang captures his own interpretation of this traditional village style in this almost abstract rendition of a river diaojiaolou village. Hints of life are hidden away even as portions of the walls and roof have been cut away by the artist so that the focus can remain on the land and village instead. At first glance this may appear to be a chaotic and simple piece. However, as one spends more time observing it, little details of realism and natural beauty begin to pop out. The lighting in particular creates a unique glow and warmth to the art as we see the sun’s rays reflected off slanted rooftops and creating lush shadows of the clouds and reflections on the calm river canvas below. The complexity of the painting also becomes more noticeable. Jiang’s talent for realism is often seen in the way he can expand the contents of a scene. For instance, here the hallow and dark underbelly of the houses in the low tide crawls back out away from light, with the occasional ghostly pillar permitting view of itself to the observer. The crooked boat seems to twist in the shallow waters out of reach from the residents above. While angled buildings and long tilted roofs draw the eye vertically and horizontally across the landscape breaking through the 2D nature of the work for a wonderful illusion of depth. A conversation piece for any space ready to reveal new details and delights with each viewing.

4
House Blooming from the Forest
As though emerging from a long nap, the cozy residence of this traditional brick and stone house peeks out from behind a heavy curtain of green and yellow for a moment of rural delight. Potted plants dot the stone wall of the surrounding area as moss and other small plant life make their way into the edges and cracks of the nearby staircases and paths. A few young trees cut through the canopy roof of the canvas into the unknown while splashes of brown and black smudge together to outline the man-made structures buried inside the picture. Bits of vibrant colored cloth hang over the balcony edge to hint at the life that dwells inside and around this place. Jiang seems to have stopped and plucked away the leaves to reveal the subject of his work here and offers a chance for a new owner of this landscape to share it with the world or just the occasional cup of coffee in your own cozy home.

5
Diaojiaolou House
According to legend, when the first ancient pioneers set out from northern and central China in the hopes of discovering and populating southern China, they came upon a number of difficulties. In the mountainous forests of south China, they met with fierce beasts, venomous snakes, and a myriad of unpleasant insects. In spite of this adversity, they managed to settle a colony in the south and set fires around the colony in order to deter wild beasts. However, the people continued to be plagued by vicious snakes and deadly scorpions, until one of the leaders, an old, wise and well-respected man, came upon an idea for a building suspended on wooden stilts. The colony built these tall dwellings and soon they were safe from the dangers of the creatures below.

These were the first diaojiaolou, or “stilt houses,” a dwelling popular among several of the ethnic minority communities throughout southern China. The word “diaojiao” (吊脚) in Chinese means “hanging feet” and “lou” (楼) means “building”, so diaojiaolou literally means “hanging feet building”. They are so named because of their unusual appearance. The history of the diaojiaolou stretches back over 500 years and they are widespread throughout Yunnan, Guangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, Hubei, and Sichuan province but differ in appearance depending on the ethnic group who built them.

Although the original legend behind the diaojiaolou may seem farfetched, it touches upon one of its main benefits. The key to its popularity is that, in ancient times, these stilted buildings would provide protection from wild animals, and nowadays they continue to provide protection from venomous snakes and insects that are still prolific throughout China. The cool breeze blowing through the windows of the upper levels acts as a kind of natural air conditioner, meaning these buildings also help prevent humidity-related diseases common in southern China. In the south of China, the level of humidity on the ground during summer is almost unbearable and potentially dangerous, so elevated living spaces are particularly important. These stilted houses are also designed to survive most natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes.

Cai Jiangbai goes on to captures the historic charm of the tall and ancient diaojiaolou house in this piece. Rising high above the swampy landscape, the building is but a remnant of its former glory, yet still standing strong. The thinning patches of its thatched grass roof slide off the sides, and burnt-looking fabric blows loosely in the wind, yet the poles of the structure hint that they will continue to stand regardless. Hiding below in the swirl of green and yellow grass a brown and white farm animal take its meal under the dry floor of the house. Faint lines from the sun and clouds blend together in the background allowing the subtle and pale colors of the house to stand out, drawing the observer into the serenity of the misty scene. A treasure lost to time, immortalized in this fantastic work of art, would suit any office space in need of a bit of contemplation and calm.
 

6
Woman by Door
Cai Jiangbai, like many of his mentors, aims to capture the experience and awe of daily life not through exact physical depictions, but through the life and energy of the painting. The sprawling facade of this home seems to push the observer into assuming it is the main focus of the work until a shorter, older woman relaxing by the door comes into view. Resting next to a basket of goods and a small cooking fire, as she is looking out beyond the observer’s view, her simple expression offers a soft and inviting feeling. Her sizable home is crafted out of a variety of tightly packed stone bricks and an ornate window, where perhaps generations of the family have come and gone during the home’s lifespan. Jiang seems to have taken his time with this particular piece, laying out each stroke of the brush with delicacy and respect for the woman and her life here. This picture is a thoughtful gift for any well-loved mother or grandmother.

7
Village Houses by the Gate
This painting by Cai Jaingbai is possibly a representation of the Yunnan/Dai-styled houses. The mud and stilted walls of this house rest under the heavily thatched roofs of cloth and hay. Daily life is unobscured here and small tools, bottles, and pails are scattered throughout the sand-colored soil of the surrounding hut yards. Broad, watery stokes of jade and sky blue saturate the background over the sprawling forest. Interestingly, this piece leaves much open to interpretation whether discussing the god-like figure hiding in the trees to the right, or the little trail of life crawling down the side of the larger house onto the ground. Though rural like many of his other works, it is difficult to determine when the painting’s location of origin might have existed, whether during his own time or an imagining of the past. Though we cannot know for certain Jiang’s intentions with this piece, we do get a sense of his masterful use of depth, color, technique, and artistic interpretation as found in his other works.

8
City Boardwalk on a Rainy Day
City dwellers scurry across the river and under the walkway to hide from the downpour, moving a citrus trail of color across this painting’s center. A maestro of water manipulation in his works, Jiang through talented methods creates the sensation of heavy rain and dampness in all corners of this piece. Bright, clouded skies seem to blot the landscape as distant buildings are stained in a dark blue drizzle. The occasional dim puddle can be seen streaking across the boardwalk and silvery strokes of the brush soak the left side of the city block in streaks of rain. Pedestrians hold tight onto their umbrellas, some struggling to open theirs while others seem to lean them back playfully over their shoulders. And the wide boards of the overpass appear to almost melt from the moisture. Despite the weather, the bridge and district seem busy with life, as boats continue along the river, and shops hang out their signs and flags for all to view. Jiang’s playfulness and vibrancy come through every corner of the painting and are guaranteed to lighten up any room on a dreary, rainy day.

9
Water Canal & Houses
For thousands of years, inland water transport has played a major role in China’s transportation infrastructure. Even today, China boasts more than 75,000 miles (some 125,00 km) of navigable inland waterways, the most extensive systems of any other country in the world. The country saw an uptick in waterway construction following the shift of power in the 1950s to a communist government. They have developed and spread over the decades and are now considered some of the most economically significant waterways in the world. But if you step away from the massive freight transports and dredged rivers, you’ll find a plethora of smaller water canals frequently throughout the cities and villages in China. These provide quick transportation for residents and help move goods to more remote locations. Most of all, they provide a view of the landscape that might not otherwise be visible.
In this watercolor, residual ripples fade out from such a canal as Jiang directs us down this waterway. Long stone walls stretch down the canal as our eyes move up into the skyline among ever-growing rooftops. The older, simplistic houses appear far more colorful and livelier than their modern, background counterparts. Wrapped in rich brick reds and pale floral blues, the modest canal houses edge up alongside each other while steps are perched center for quick access to a boat for a daily shopping trip. Anyone with an appreciation of canal art scenes and water portraits will enjoy having this slice of Jiang’s work in their collection.

10
Closeup of House
Sitting atop a stone walkway, Cai Jiangbai invites us to take a moment to appreciate the little details of this home. The two-story stone house is adorned with pockets of color from the expanding flora of vines, as well as flowers of yellow, pink, and blue, helping it to stand out from the dark and worn street below. It’s clear from the planters spread throughout and the wide-open windows above that the outside environment is a welcome element to this residence. A tall door stands open for visitors while carved windows allow sunlight to pour inside. Jiang’s ability to paint everyday objects and architecture in such a way that it conveys an impression of the home and being is one of his best-honed traits. His works often offer a sensation of belonging and realness, so that the viewer need not be there personally to understand the vibrancy and splendor of the subject of his paintings. Jiang’s lovely depiction of this warm entrance would effortlessly settle into any home’s entryway to match.

Auction License: VA# 2908001086
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Cai JiangBai: Watercolors, Fine Art Auction

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Listing Details
 Cai JiangBai (蔡江白) is an Asian modern and contemporary artist. Born in Shanghai in 1942, he is a member of the Chinese Artists Association, former Vice President of the Shanghai Watercolor Research Association, and a member of the Watercolor Working Committee of Shanghai Artists Association. He has also had the honor of a visiting professor position at the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts. In his earliest years he studied under well-known artists Yu Yan Wenliang, Li Yongsen, and Ha Ting.

 

This exquisite lot features ten previously unseen works by Cai JiangBai and include more of his interpretive landscape, urban, and rural oriented paintings, whereas other works of his have typically focused on human subjects. Each piece tells a rich and unique story, permitting a rare glimpse into the everyday serenity of life in China through the eyes of a master watercolorist. Cai JiangBai’s museum and gallery quality work is limited in numbers and a perfect adornment for any sized collection of fine art and traditional Chinese aesthetics.

 

For more information about this auction, please visit https://www.blueboxauction.com/featured-auction-event.

 

Preview day for this auction is on June 24th by appointment only. Please email sold@blueboxauction.com or call 757-550-0285 to schedule a time.

 

1
Patron Walking from Marketplace
Sweeping colors wind down the road towards the observer in this landscape painting from Jiang. A river of green and brown mix together and fill the sides of the road, while thoughtfully flicked water strokes from his brush from natural cobblestones on the road. Past the well-worn bridge a figure appears to have begun the journey home from the brightly colored marketplace. With nearly half its population, roughly 600 million people, residing in rural China, it has only recently become a place where modern marketplaces are cropping up. So, it is not surprising to see such a depiction from the last few decades from Jiang. Roadside and smaller stalls like these are vital to everyday commerce and survival in rural China. And here the artist has captured the simplistic beauty of the homegrown atmosphere that still inhabits most of rural China. This slice of life painting deserves a spot to shine and spark conversation.
 

2
Woman Crossing Arched Bridge
Some of the world’s oldest bridges reside in the provinces of China, dating back as far as the Han Dynasty (25-220 AD). Bridges throughout China’s history have been built with arches in shapes such as semicircular (also known as moon bridges as the reflection in water looks like a full moon), elliptical, polygonal, triangular, parabolic, horseshoe, and even egg shape.
The aesthetic features of such bridges were as important in ancient times as they are now. They are famed for their ethereal beauty and have long been depicted in poetry and art alike throughout the centuries. The best-known arch bridge built by the ancient Chinese is Zhaozhou Bridge in Hebei Province. Also known as Anji Bridge or Dashi Bridge, Zhaozhou Bridge is the world’s first stone open-spandrel segmental arch bridge. It’s also the oldest arch bridge in China today with construction starting in 595 AD and taking over a decade to complete. Often considered a piece of art on its own because of its well-proportioned layout, elegant structure, and beautiful appearance. In fact, many stone bridges throughout China have followed these aesthetic ideals in crafting new bridges.
So, it is no wonder that Cai Jiangbai has made a point to capture the beauty of the traditional fixed arch of Chinese bridges in this imposing portrait of one such landmark. Clean and uniform buildings sit just out of view in the background above the river as the marble-colored crossing takes center stage. The painting naturally draws your gaze upward one step at a time, until they suddenly find themselves dipping right back down the other side with the woman at the far end. Each point on the bridge is crowned with a carved stone column that shows off the sturdy and well-crafted nature of the bridge itself. This is further shown in the way the railways of the bridge come down and slide through the pillars and lock in place, leading to visually pleasing architecture. The woman may be swiftly on her way across the bridge and home, but the painting offers a chance to keep this moment in time frozen for all to enjoy.

3
Tujia Diaojiaolou & Gondola
The Tujia people who are native to the Wuling Mountains in China, prefer to live near mountains but close to or sometimes even over rivers or streams. Thus, you’ll find that many Tujia diaojiaolou are either placed directly on the waterfront or hang over the water. The Tujia believe that these stilted houses embody the coexistence of God and man, so the designs of their diaojiaolou often reflect this. Tujia diaojiaolou are hard to come by, since the Tujia people are slowly abandoning their old settlements and wandering lifestyles to assimilate into modern Chinese culture. Though declining, some efforts have been made to preserve the knowledge and display of these villages and housing styles, such as the Tujia Folk Customs Park in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, a large-scale replica of a traditional Tujia village.
Jiang captures his own interpretation of this traditional village style in this almost abstract rendition of a river diaojiaolou village. Hints of life are hidden away even as portions of the walls and roof have been cut away by the artist so that the focus can remain on the land and village instead. At first glance this may appear to be a chaotic and simple piece. However, as one spends more time observing it, little details of realism and natural beauty begin to pop out. The lighting in particular creates a unique glow and warmth to the art as we see the sun’s rays reflected off slanted rooftops and creating lush shadows of the clouds and reflections on the calm river canvas below. The complexity of the painting also becomes more noticeable. Jiang’s talent for realism is often seen in the way he can expand the contents of a scene. For instance, here the hallow and dark underbelly of the houses in the low tide crawls back out away from light, with the occasional ghostly pillar permitting view of itself to the observer. The crooked boat seems to twist in the shallow waters out of reach from the residents above. While angled buildings and long tilted roofs draw the eye vertically and horizontally across the landscape breaking through the 2D nature of the work for a wonderful illusion of depth. A conversation piece for any space ready to reveal new details and delights with each viewing.

4
House Blooming from the Forest
As though emerging from a long nap, the cozy residence of this traditional brick and stone house peeks out from behind a heavy curtain of green and yellow for a moment of rural delight. Potted plants dot the stone wall of the surrounding area as moss and other small plant life make their way into the edges and cracks of the nearby staircases and paths. A few young trees cut through the canopy roof of the canvas into the unknown while splashes of brown and black smudge together to outline the man-made structures buried inside the picture. Bits of vibrant colored cloth hang over the balcony edge to hint at the life that dwells inside and around this place. Jiang seems to have stopped and plucked away the leaves to reveal the subject of his work here and offers a chance for a new owner of this landscape to share it with the world or just the occasional cup of coffee in your own cozy home.

5
Diaojiaolou House
According to legend, when the first ancient pioneers set out from northern and central China in the hopes of discovering and populating southern China, they came upon a number of difficulties. In the mountainous forests of south China, they met with fierce beasts, venomous snakes, and a myriad of unpleasant insects. In spite of this adversity, they managed to settle a colony in the south and set fires around the colony in order to deter wild beasts. However, the people continued to be plagued by vicious snakes and deadly scorpions, until one of the leaders, an old, wise and well-respected man, came upon an idea for a building suspended on wooden stilts. The colony built these tall dwellings and soon they were safe from the dangers of the creatures below.

These were the first diaojiaolou, or “stilt houses,” a dwelling popular among several of the ethnic minority communities throughout southern China. The word “diaojiao” (吊脚) in Chinese means “hanging feet” and “lou” (楼) means “building”, so diaojiaolou literally means “hanging feet building”. They are so named because of their unusual appearance. The history of the diaojiaolou stretches back over 500 years and they are widespread throughout Yunnan, Guangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, Hubei, and Sichuan province but differ in appearance depending on the ethnic group who built them.

Although the original legend behind the diaojiaolou may seem farfetched, it touches upon one of its main benefits. The key to its popularity is that, in ancient times, these stilted buildings would provide protection from wild animals, and nowadays they continue to provide protection from venomous snakes and insects that are still prolific throughout China. The cool breeze blowing through the windows of the upper levels acts as a kind of natural air conditioner, meaning these buildings also help prevent humidity-related diseases common in southern China. In the south of China, the level of humidity on the ground during summer is almost unbearable and potentially dangerous, so elevated living spaces are particularly important. These stilted houses are also designed to survive most natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes.

Cai Jiangbai goes on to captures the historic charm of the tall and ancient diaojiaolou house in this piece. Rising high above the swampy landscape, the building is but a remnant of its former glory, yet still standing strong. The thinning patches of its thatched grass roof slide off the sides, and burnt-looking fabric blows loosely in the wind, yet the poles of the structure hint that they will continue to stand regardless. Hiding below in the swirl of green and yellow grass a brown and white farm animal take its meal under the dry floor of the house. Faint lines from the sun and clouds blend together in the background allowing the subtle and pale colors of the house to stand out, drawing the observer into the serenity of the misty scene. A treasure lost to time, immortalized in this fantastic work of art, would suit any office space in need of a bit of contemplation and calm.
 

6
Woman by Door
Cai Jiangbai, like many of his mentors, aims to capture the experience and awe of daily life not through exact physical depictions, but through the life and energy of the painting. The sprawling facade of this home seems to push the observer into assuming it is the main focus of the work until a shorter, older woman relaxing by the door comes into view. Resting next to a basket of goods and a small cooking fire, as she is looking out beyond the observer’s view, her simple expression offers a soft and inviting feeling. Her sizable home is crafted out of a variety of tightly packed stone bricks and an ornate window, where perhaps generations of the family have come and gone during the home’s lifespan. Jiang seems to have taken his time with this particular piece, laying out each stroke of the brush with delicacy and respect for the woman and her life here. This picture is a thoughtful gift for any well-loved mother or grandmother.

7
Village Houses by the Gate
This painting by Cai Jaingbai is possibly a representation of the Yunnan/Dai-styled houses. The mud and stilted walls of this house rest under the heavily thatched roofs of cloth and hay. Daily life is unobscured here and small tools, bottles, and pails are scattered throughout the sand-colored soil of the surrounding hut yards. Broad, watery stokes of jade and sky blue saturate the background over the sprawling forest. Interestingly, this piece leaves much open to interpretation whether discussing the god-like figure hiding in the trees to the right, or the little trail of life crawling down the side of the larger house onto the ground. Though rural like many of his other works, it is difficult to determine when the painting’s location of origin might have existed, whether during his own time or an imagining of the past. Though we cannot know for certain Jiang’s intentions with this piece, we do get a sense of his masterful use of depth, color, technique, and artistic interpretation as found in his other works.

8
City Boardwalk on a Rainy Day
City dwellers scurry across the river and under the walkway to hide from the downpour, moving a citrus trail of color across this painting’s center. A maestro of water manipulation in his works, Jiang through talented methods creates the sensation of heavy rain and dampness in all corners of this piece. Bright, clouded skies seem to blot the landscape as distant buildings are stained in a dark blue drizzle. The occasional dim puddle can be seen streaking across the boardwalk and silvery strokes of the brush soak the left side of the city block in streaks of rain. Pedestrians hold tight onto their umbrellas, some struggling to open theirs while others seem to lean them back playfully over their shoulders. And the wide boards of the overpass appear to almost melt from the moisture. Despite the weather, the bridge and district seem busy with life, as boats continue along the river, and shops hang out their signs and flags for all to view. Jiang’s playfulness and vibrancy come through every corner of the painting and are guaranteed to lighten up any room on a dreary, rainy day.

9
Water Canal & Houses
For thousands of years, inland water transport has played a major role in China’s transportation infrastructure. Even today, China boasts more than 75,000 miles (some 125,00 km) of navigable inland waterways, the most extensive systems of any other country in the world. The country saw an uptick in waterway construction following the shift of power in the 1950s to a communist government. They have developed and spread over the decades and are now considered some of the most economically significant waterways in the world. But if you step away from the massive freight transports and dredged rivers, you’ll find a plethora of smaller water canals frequently throughout the cities and villages in China. These provide quick transportation for residents and help move goods to more remote locations. Most of all, they provide a view of the landscape that might not otherwise be visible.
In this watercolor, residual ripples fade out from such a canal as Jiang directs us down this waterway. Long stone walls stretch down the canal as our eyes move up into the skyline among ever-growing rooftops. The older, simplistic houses appear far more colorful and livelier than their modern, background counterparts. Wrapped in rich brick reds and pale floral blues, the modest canal houses edge up alongside each other while steps are perched center for quick access to a boat for a daily shopping trip. Anyone with an appreciation of canal art scenes and water portraits will enjoy having this slice of Jiang’s work in their collection.

10
Closeup of House
Sitting atop a stone walkway, Cai Jiangbai invites us to take a moment to appreciate the little details of this home. The two-story stone house is adorned with pockets of color from the expanding flora of vines, as well as flowers of yellow, pink, and blue, helping it to stand out from the dark and worn street below. It’s clear from the planters spread throughout and the wide-open windows above that the outside environment is a welcome element to this residence. A tall door stands open for visitors while carved windows allow sunlight to pour inside. Jiang’s ability to paint everyday objects and architecture in such a way that it conveys an impression of the home and being is one of his best-honed traits. His works often offer a sensation of belonging and realness, so that the viewer need not be there personally to understand the vibrancy and splendor of the subject of his paintings. Jiang’s lovely depiction of this warm entrance would effortlessly settle into any home’s entryway to match.
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Cai JiangBai: Watercolors, Fine Art Auction
 Live Auction w/Online Bidding
Auction Date(s)
Friday Jun 25, 2021 Completed
Auction Location

Virignia Beach, VA 23455
Company
Blue Box Auction Gallery

Website: www.blueboxauction.com

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 Cai JiangBai (蔡江白) is an Asian modern and contemporary artist. Born in Shanghai in 1942, he is a member of the Chinese Artists Association, former Vice President of the Shanghai Watercolor Research Association, and a member of the Watercolor Working Committee of Shanghai Artists Association. He has also had the honor of a visiting professor position at the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts. In his earliest years he studied under well-known artists Yu Yan Wenliang, Li Yongsen, and Ha Ting.

 

This exquisite lot features ten previously unseen works by Cai JiangBai and include more of his interpretive landscape, urban, and rural oriented paintings, whereas other works of his have typically focused on human subjects. Each piece tells a rich and unique story, permitting a rare glimpse into the everyday serenity of life in China through the eyes of a master watercolorist. Cai JiangBai’s museum and gallery quality work is limited in numbers and a perfect adornment for any sized collection of fine art and traditional Chinese aesthetics.

 

For more information about this auction, please visit https://www.blueboxauction.com/featured-auction-event.

 

Preview day for this auction is on June 24th by appointment only. Please email sold@blueboxauction.com or call 757-550-0285 to schedule a time.

 

1
Patron Walking from Marketplace
Sweeping colors wind down the road towards the observer in this landscape painting from Jiang. A river of green and brown mix together and fill the sides of the road, while thoughtfully flicked water strokes from his brush from natural cobblestones on the road. Past the well-worn bridge a figure appears to have begun the journey home from the brightly colored marketplace. With nearly half its population, roughly 600 million people, residing in rural China, it has only recently become a place where modern marketplaces are cropping up. So, it is not surprising to see such a depiction from the last few decades from Jiang. Roadside and smaller stalls like these are vital to everyday commerce and survival in rural China. And here the artist has captured the simplistic beauty of the homegrown atmosphere that still inhabits most of rural China. This slice of life painting deserves a spot to shine and spark conversation.
 

2
Woman Crossing Arched Bridge
Some of the world’s oldest bridges reside in the provinces of China, dating back as far as the Han Dynasty (25-220 AD). Bridges throughout China’s history have been built with arches in shapes such as semicircular (also known as moon bridges as the reflection in water looks like a full moon), elliptical, polygonal, triangular, parabolic, horseshoe, and even egg shape.
The aesthetic features of such bridges were as important in ancient times as they are now. They are famed for their ethereal beauty and have long been depicted in poetry and art alike throughout the centuries. The best-known arch bridge built by the ancient Chinese is Zhaozhou Bridge in Hebei Province. Also known as Anji Bridge or Dashi Bridge, Zhaozhou Bridge is the world’s first stone open-spandrel segmental arch bridge. It’s also the oldest arch bridge in China today with construction starting in 595 AD and taking over a decade to complete. Often considered a piece of art on its own because of its well-proportioned layout, elegant structure, and beautiful appearance. In fact, many stone bridges throughout China have followed these aesthetic ideals in crafting new bridges.
So, it is no wonder that Cai Jiangbai has made a point to capture the beauty of the traditional fixed arch of Chinese bridges in this imposing portrait of one such landmark. Clean and uniform buildings sit just out of view in the background above the river as the marble-colored crossing takes center stage. The painting naturally draws your gaze upward one step at a time, until they suddenly find themselves dipping right back down the other side with the woman at the far end. Each point on the bridge is crowned with a carved stone column that shows off the sturdy and well-crafted nature of the bridge itself. This is further shown in the way the railways of the bridge come down and slide through the pillars and lock in place, leading to visually pleasing architecture. The woman may be swiftly on her way across the bridge and home, but the painting offers a chance to keep this moment in time frozen for all to enjoy.

3
Tujia Diaojiaolou & Gondola
The Tujia people who are native to the Wuling Mountains in China, prefer to live near mountains but close to or sometimes even over rivers or streams. Thus, you’ll find that many Tujia diaojiaolou are either placed directly on the waterfront or hang over the water. The Tujia believe that these stilted houses embody the coexistence of God and man, so the designs of their diaojiaolou often reflect this. Tujia diaojiaolou are hard to come by, since the Tujia people are slowly abandoning their old settlements and wandering lifestyles to assimilate into modern Chinese culture. Though declining, some efforts have been made to preserve the knowledge and display of these villages and housing styles, such as the Tujia Folk Customs Park in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, a large-scale replica of a traditional Tujia village.
Jiang captures his own interpretation of this traditional village style in this almost abstract rendition of a river diaojiaolou village. Hints of life are hidden away even as portions of the walls and roof have been cut away by the artist so that the focus can remain on the land and village instead. At first glance this may appear to be a chaotic and simple piece. However, as one spends more time observing it, little details of realism and natural beauty begin to pop out. The lighting in particular creates a unique glow and warmth to the art as we see the sun’s rays reflected off slanted rooftops and creating lush shadows of the clouds and reflections on the calm river canvas below. The complexity of the painting also becomes more noticeable. Jiang’s talent for realism is often seen in the way he can expand the contents of a scene. For instance, here the hallow and dark underbelly of the houses in the low tide crawls back out away from light, with the occasional ghostly pillar permitting view of itself to the observer. The crooked boat seems to twist in the shallow waters out of reach from the residents above. While angled buildings and long tilted roofs draw the eye vertically and horizontally across the landscape breaking through the 2D nature of the work for a wonderful illusion of depth. A conversation piece for any space ready to reveal new details and delights with each viewing.

4
House Blooming from the Forest
As though emerging from a long nap, the cozy residence of this traditional brick and stone house peeks out from behind a heavy curtain of green and yellow for a moment of rural delight. Potted plants dot the stone wall of the surrounding area as moss and other small plant life make their way into the edges and cracks of the nearby staircases and paths. A few young trees cut through the canopy roof of the canvas into the unknown while splashes of brown and black smudge together to outline the man-made structures buried inside the picture. Bits of vibrant colored cloth hang over the balcony edge to hint at the life that dwells inside and around this place. Jiang seems to have stopped and plucked away the leaves to reveal the subject of his work here and offers a chance for a new owner of this landscape to share it with the world or just the occasional cup of coffee in your own cozy home.

5
Diaojiaolou House
According to legend, when the first ancient pioneers set out from northern and central China in the hopes of discovering and populating southern China, they came upon a number of difficulties. In the mountainous forests of south China, they met with fierce beasts, venomous snakes, and a myriad of unpleasant insects. In spite of this adversity, they managed to settle a colony in the south and set fires around the colony in order to deter wild beasts. However, the people continued to be plagued by vicious snakes and deadly scorpions, until one of the leaders, an old, wise and well-respected man, came upon an idea for a building suspended on wooden stilts. The colony built these tall dwellings and soon they were safe from the dangers of the creatures below.

These were the first diaojiaolou, or “stilt houses,” a dwelling popular among several of the ethnic minority communities throughout southern China. The word “diaojiao” (吊脚) in Chinese means “hanging feet” and “lou” (楼) means “building”, so diaojiaolou literally means “hanging feet building”. They are so named because of their unusual appearance. The history of the diaojiaolou stretches back over 500 years and they are widespread throughout Yunnan, Guangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, Hubei, and Sichuan province but differ in appearance depending on the ethnic group who built them.

Although the original legend behind the diaojiaolou may seem farfetched, it touches upon one of its main benefits. The key to its popularity is that, in ancient times, these stilted buildings would provide protection from wild animals, and nowadays they continue to provide protection from venomous snakes and insects that are still prolific throughout China. The cool breeze blowing through the windows of the upper levels acts as a kind of natural air conditioner, meaning these buildings also help prevent humidity-related diseases common in southern China. In the south of China, the level of humidity on the ground during summer is almost unbearable and potentially dangerous, so elevated living spaces are particularly important. These stilted houses are also designed to survive most natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes.

Cai Jiangbai goes on to captures the historic charm of the tall and ancient diaojiaolou house in this piece. Rising high above the swampy landscape, the building is but a remnant of its former glory, yet still standing strong. The thinning patches of its thatched grass roof slide off the sides, and burnt-looking fabric blows loosely in the wind, yet the poles of the structure hint that they will continue to stand regardless. Hiding below in the swirl of green and yellow grass a brown and white farm animal take its meal under the dry floor of the house. Faint lines from the sun and clouds blend together in the background allowing the subtle and pale colors of the house to stand out, drawing the observer into the serenity of the misty scene. A treasure lost to time, immortalized in this fantastic work of art, would suit any office space in need of a bit of contemplation and calm.
 

6
Woman by Door
Cai Jiangbai, like many of his mentors, aims to capture the experience and awe of daily life not through exact physical depictions, but through the life and energy of the painting. The sprawling facade of this home seems to push the observer into assuming it is the main focus of the work until a shorter, older woman relaxing by the door comes into view. Resting next to a basket of goods and a small cooking fire, as she is looking out beyond the observer’s view, her simple expression offers a soft and inviting feeling. Her sizable home is crafted out of a variety of tightly packed stone bricks and an ornate window, where perhaps generations of the family have come and gone during the home’s lifespan. Jiang seems to have taken his time with this particular piece, laying out each stroke of the brush with delicacy and respect for the woman and her life here. This picture is a thoughtful gift for any well-loved mother or grandmother.

7
Village Houses by the Gate
This painting by Cai Jaingbai is possibly a representation of the Yunnan/Dai-styled houses. The mud and stilted walls of this house rest under the heavily thatched roofs of cloth and hay. Daily life is unobscured here and small tools, bottles, and pails are scattered throughout the sand-colored soil of the surrounding hut yards. Broad, watery stokes of jade and sky blue saturate the background over the sprawling forest. Interestingly, this piece leaves much open to interpretation whether discussing the god-like figure hiding in the trees to the right, or the little trail of life crawling down the side of the larger house onto the ground. Though rural like many of his other works, it is difficult to determine when the painting’s location of origin might have existed, whether during his own time or an imagining of the past. Though we cannot know for certain Jiang’s intentions with this piece, we do get a sense of his masterful use of depth, color, technique, and artistic interpretation as found in his other works.

8
City Boardwalk on a Rainy Day
City dwellers scurry across the river and under the walkway to hide from the downpour, moving a citrus trail of color across this painting’s center. A maestro of water manipulation in his works, Jiang through talented methods creates the sensation of heavy rain and dampness in all corners of this piece. Bright, clouded skies seem to blot the landscape as distant buildings are stained in a dark blue drizzle. The occasional dim puddle can be seen streaking across the boardwalk and silvery strokes of the brush soak the left side of the city block in streaks of rain. Pedestrians hold tight onto their umbrellas, some struggling to open theirs while others seem to lean them back playfully over their shoulders. And the wide boards of the overpass appear to almost melt from the moisture. Despite the weather, the bridge and district seem busy with life, as boats continue along the river, and shops hang out their signs and flags for all to view. Jiang’s playfulness and vibrancy come through every corner of the painting and are guaranteed to lighten up any room on a dreary, rainy day.

9
Water Canal & Houses
For thousands of years, inland water transport has played a major role in China’s transportation infrastructure. Even today, China boasts more than 75,000 miles (some 125,00 km) of navigable inland waterways, the most extensive systems of any other country in the world. The country saw an uptick in waterway construction following the shift of power in the 1950s to a communist government. They have developed and spread over the decades and are now considered some of the most economically significant waterways in the world. But if you step away from the massive freight transports and dredged rivers, you’ll find a plethora of smaller water canals frequently throughout the cities and villages in China. These provide quick transportation for residents and help move goods to more remote locations. Most of all, they provide a view of the landscape that might not otherwise be visible.
In this watercolor, residual ripples fade out from such a canal as Jiang directs us down this waterway. Long stone walls stretch down the canal as our eyes move up into the skyline among ever-growing rooftops. The older, simplistic houses appear far more colorful and livelier than their modern, background counterparts. Wrapped in rich brick reds and pale floral blues, the modest canal houses edge up alongside each other while steps are perched center for quick access to a boat for a daily shopping trip. Anyone with an appreciation of canal art scenes and water portraits will enjoy having this slice of Jiang’s work in their collection.

10
Closeup of House
Sitting atop a stone walkway, Cai Jiangbai invites us to take a moment to appreciate the little details of this home. The two-story stone house is adorned with pockets of color from the expanding flora of vines, as well as flowers of yellow, pink, and blue, helping it to stand out from the dark and worn street below. It’s clear from the planters spread throughout and the wide-open windows above that the outside environment is a welcome element to this residence. A tall door stands open for visitors while carved windows allow sunlight to pour inside. Jiang’s ability to paint everyday objects and architecture in such a way that it conveys an impression of the home and being is one of his best-honed traits. His works often offer a sensation of belonging and realness, so that the viewer need not be there personally to understand the vibrancy and splendor of the subject of his paintings. Jiang’s lovely depiction of this warm entrance would effortlessly settle into any home’s entryway to match.