154cm
60½"
60½"
66.7cm
26¼"
26¼"
Approximate Measurements
Artwork Panel: 48.6cm x 98.4cm ≈ 19" x 38¾"
Silk/Brocade: 57.7cm x 154cm ≈ 22¾" x 60½"
Width at Wooden Knobs: 66.7cm ≈ 26¼"
Close up view of the koi fish artwork mounted to this silk brocade wall scroll
If you love koi fish, this scroll is just what you need on your wall...
These fish are associated strongly with both Japanese and Chinese cultures. Beautiful garden parks in the cities around China are often graced with a pond full of these fish throughout the year. They are a very strong fish as they can be seen swimming slowly under thick sheets of ice in lakes during the brutal Winter of northern China.
Also, in Mandarin Chinese, "fish" is pronounced "Yu" which is the same pronunciation as the word meaning "wealth" or "being rich". So many Chinese people believe that having a painting of fish in your home will bring you wealth and riches.
Materials used are special black and red Chinese ink on rice paper. I took this artwork to the best scroll-builder in Northern China to have it mounted to this wonderful silk scroll.
The artist is such a cool old Chinese man. He is 62 years old, but has the heart of a teenager. I always have a good time when I visit his studio. He gets as excited as I do when he is showing me a new piece that he has just finished. Then he tries to teach me how to paint (a futile effort). I always wish him long life and happiness when I leave. I really hope he lives forever, the world needs more people like Mr. Yu
(The not-so-Chinese-looking guy in this picture is me)
The artist's name is "Yu Gong-Quan" but his pen name is "Mao Zhi".
Yu Gong-Quan was born in Shanghai in 1941.
He studied art for many years in Anhui Province. After perfecting his skills he started his career as an artist.
For the last 30 years of his life, he has continued to develop his unique style.
He is currently a professor of art at an institute in Beijing, China.