An auction held yesterday at the Hilton Shanghai proves that local buyers are still interested in "new Shanghai style" traditional ink-wash paintings.

Organized by the Shanghai Chongyuan Auction House, the auction covered 118 works of art, including some by renowned artists such as Fang Zengxian, Chen Jialing and Yan Meihua, whose works are representatives of the "new Shanghai style."

All but six of the paintings on sale went for much more than the floor price, with most of the works going for nearly twice the minimum bid. For example, one painting by He Youzhi was estimated to be worth 40,000 yuan (US$4,819) to 60,000 yuan but brought in 150,000 yuan.

"We didn't expect so many people were still interested in 'new Shanghai style' traditional paintings", said Zhu Yun, a spokeswoman for the auction house. "We believe the clear provenance of the paintings was the key factor that attracted them."

"New Shanghai style" refers to painters who endeavor to apply modern subjects and techniques to the ancient genre.

( Shanghai Daily December 22, 2004)