In conjunction with Leigh Pritchard Fine Art this exhibition unites the grandeur of 19th Century French antique furniture and decorative arts with contemporary paintings by Fu Hong, Guanting Li and Echo Cai and a selection of asian ceramics dating across the centuries. A combination of the new and the old, inviting us to reflect on the ways art connects cultures, generations and ideas.
Fu Hong’s painting Autumn in Bright 2025 oil on canvas 61 x 81 cm hanging above a 19th Century French serpentine shaped two drawer commode with floral marquetry and gilt bronze and marble top. Sitting on the commode is a 3 piece mantle clock set dating c.1880 by the maker Giraud and Legrand, Paris. The clock and candelabra are mounted on ormolu decorated Carrara marble bases with adjustable feet. The candelabra feature two cherubs holding up the candle holders. A bronze figure of Cupid stands above the clock with original enamel.
Fu Hong held his first solo exhibition in Beijing in 1988 and his recent exhibition at Lauraine Diggins Fine Art brings his exhibition history to over 60 shows. He delights in painting landscape, still life and figurative works and has been a finalist in both the Archibald (2008, 2009) and the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize (1996).
A French Louis XVI style kingwood serpentine shaped bedside commode c.1890 decorated with diamond shaped parquetry and ormolo mounts and original marble top. Art Nouveau sculpture of a bronze maiden by G. Van Der Staeten, Paris c. 1890 on a marble pedestal and artwork by Guanting Li, Waterfalls in Cloud 2017 colour ink on rice paper, 143 x 44 cm. Guanting Li trained in China before moving to Australia over 20 years ago and his highly collected particularly in China. His subjects are inspired by Chinese culture and painted in the unforgiving medium of ink on rice paper showcasing the expressive calligraphic line.
Echo Cai trained at Peking University before migrating to Australia in 1989 where her creative output includes painting, writing, video and curation and often explores a connection between Australian and Chinese culture. Her recent painting includes View Over the Vines 2025, synthetic polymer on canvas, 65 x 150 cm which here hangs above a 19th Century French kingwood serpentine shaped two drawer commode, decorated with kingwood diamond shaped parquetry set within rosewood borders, with cast metal mounts and cabriole legs and original marble top, with a bronze sculpture sitting atop.
Exhibition showing until 14 November 2025 – explore the exhibition on our website www.diggins.com.au
and view short reels on our youtube to appreciate the detail and skill in the creation of these art objects.