Walasse Ting

Installation View (1)

Gallery Delaive is pleased to present its current exhibition showcasing the later works of Chinese-American artist Walasse Ting (1929–2010) from the 1980s. The show, running from 17 may through 17 July, features a vibrant selection of pieces that offer a comprehensive insight into Ting’s practice during his ‘Amsterdam period’.

Installation View (2)

By the time Ting arrived in Amsterdam in the 1980s, he had already gained significant popularity both as an artist and as a personality. From his humble beginnings in Shanghai to his moves to Paris and later New York, he had explored various painting styles and forged connections with many of the most influential Western artists of the time, including Pierre Alechinsky, Karel Appel, Asger Jorn, Sam Francis, Arman, Tom Wesselmann, Andy Warhol, and Joan Mitchell. Together with Sam Francis, he created the portfolio 1¢ Life, a remarkable collaboration featuring prints by some of the greatest artists of that era.

Installation View (3)

Fellow artist and friend Chihung Yang described Ting as “the most uninhibited, free and easy-going, yet sensitive and meticulous” artist he had ever met. Ting was an open-minded and curious character who easily connected with people and brought them together. A similar connection was formed when Ting met Nico Delaive during a chance encounter in Amsterdam. The two quickly became friends, and Nico began representing his work. Ting later introduced him to other notable artists, including Sam Francis and Tom Wesselmann.

Installation View (4)

In Amsterdam during the 1980s and 1990s, Ting refined his figurative practice, incorporating traditional Chinese elements into his subjects. His favorite motifs were women, often paired with recurring themes like flowers, fruits, cats, fish, parrots, and insects.

The works in this exhibition reflect Ting’s distinctive personality and the art that naturally flowed from his temperament and lifestyle. His Modigliani-inspired women, vibrant animals, and blooming flowers express his love of life, warmth, and beauty. Each piece, uniquely his own, delights with unexpected compositions and charming details—coffee cups, desserts, flowers, and parrots among them.

Installation View (5)

Ting was deeply aware of art history but emphasized the importance of intuitive taste over intellectualizing art. As he once said, “Mostly people just look at paintings. If they like them, they like them; if not, then so be it.” This perspective was central to his work and reflected Nico Delaive’s approach, which may explain their strong bond.

Installation View (6)

Free from pretensions, Ting’s art was instinctive and fluid. His works were often created rapidly, as if every brushstroke was an extension of his breath. He once described his process as “making love to his paintings,” resulting in a sensual symphony of colors. This gave his work a universal quality—like the arrival of spring or the warmth of human connection.

Gallery Delaive
Spiegelgracht 23, 1017 JP, Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 206 221 295

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