Walasse Ting (Xiongquan Ding) Dies at the age of 80

AMSTERDAM, May 19, 2010 - Walasse Ting has passed away at the age of 80 last Monday May 17. Ting
died in New York after he was moved from the Netherlands two weeks ago. Ting
suffered a brain hemorrhage in 2002 in his home in Amsterdam, the town where
he lived since 1985. His most popular theme was the female nude surrounded by
lush flowers and animals, painted in his typical way. Brilliance and vitality
characterizes Ting's painted women, flowers and animals. Ting came to
prominence in the 60s along with pop giants like Andy Warhol, Roy
Lichtenstein and Tom Wesselmann.

The art scene in New York was buzzing in the 60s; the Abstract
Expressionist period was at its absolute peak while the Pop Art movement was
born. Andy Warhol and Tom Wesselmann became Ting's close friends. Roy
Lichtenstein lived next door to Ting. It is in this exciting era that Ting
together with the artist Sam Francis developed the idea to publish a book
with 68 original colored lithographs, a book that would reflect the various
artistic currents of the time. This ambitious and unique plan was realized in
1964; One Cent life was published in an edition of 2000 copies. Colored
lithographs by Pierre Alechinsky, Karel Appel, Jim Dine, Sam Francis, Asger
Jorn, Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, Mel Ramos, Robert Rauschenberg, Jean
Paul Riopelle, James Rosenquist, Bram van Velde, Walasse Ting and other
artist made this publication a big success.

One Cent life became the proclamation of a new generation of painters and
is now a reference in the history of modern art.

Ting's painting career was honored by numerous prices and shows. His
works are in the permanent collections including The Guggenheim Museum and
MoMa in New York, The Chicago Art Institute, The Tate Gallery, London, Centre
Pompidou, Paris, The Hong Kong Museum of Art, among others.

A great friend will be missed. Thank you for everything Walasse.

Nico Delaive, Amsterdam

Editorial note: Please contact Nico Delaive, phone: +31(0)20-6221295, mobile: +31(0)6-53222087