ZHAO SHAO'ANG (1905-1998), YANG SHANSHEN (1913-2004) AND RONG SHUSHI (1903-1996)...

ZHAO SHAO'ANG (1905-1998), YANG SHANSHEN (1913-2004) AND RONG SHUSHI (1903-1996)
Three Friends in Winter
Hanging scroll, ink on paper
97.5 x 33.2 cm. (38 3⁄8 x 13 1⁄8 in.)
Inscribed and signed by Zhao Shao'ang, with one seal of Zhao Shao'ang, one seal of Rong Shushi and one seal of Yang Shanshen
Dated seventh month, thirty-fifth year (of the Republic, 1946)
Dedicated to Shanxiao (Kwong Shan-siu, 1909-1976)

NOTE:
Rong Shushi (1903-1996), originally from Liangdu, Xiangshan County, was born in Macau. Being a member of Lingnan School, he is a pupil of Gao Qifeng, and was specialized in painting categories including Flowers and Birds, Figures, and Landscapes.

Provenance
Kwong Shan-Siu (1909-1976), originally from Taishan, Guangdong province, was one of the best known figures in Cantonese opera and movies in the mid-20th century. Kwong began his career in 1932 and was one of the most prolific actors in Hong Kong before WWII, having performed in more than 120 movies in his life.
Kwong was dedicated in promoting cultural exchanges between Guangdong and Hong Kong. He became friends with many second generation Lingnan artists including Zhao Shao’ang and Yang Shanshen, whom gifted paintings to him. Many works were important collaborative paintings from the 1940s. Open-minded and generous, Kwong was very well-loved and respected in the arts community.