The Past

It was one autumn afternoon twelve years ago when we first met Mr. Schoeni. Our house in Dong Dai Qiao had just been renovated. Mr. Schoeni was so tall that he nearly bumped against the doorframe when he entered the house. He had seen Yi Dong's painting called Land in Early Spring - Daughter at the Great Wall Hotel. He liked it so much that he bought it immediately and was very eager to meet the artist. After much effort he finally got our telephone number.

This meeting was undoubtedly a historical moment for all of us.

The conversation did not stop. Yi Dong talked about his own sense of enlightenment of his paintings, while Mr. Schoeni expressed his views and prospects for Chinese oil paintings. The criss-crossing of thoughts had inspired a lot of fresh and vivid opinions. We shared a number of common perspectives and concepts. This joyful conversation continued until it became dark and we arranged our next appointment.

The next appointment was just a few days away, but Mr. Schoeni called Yi Dong urgently, saying that he had got a great idea and needed to talk to Yi Dong at once.

He said Yi Dong's paintings were such a surprise to him that he was inspired to set up a gallery for the sale of Chinese paintings only. The plan was quite ambitious, he set up his gallery in Central, Hong Kong, using his name as the registered trademark: Schoeni Art Gallery.

Mr. Schoeni was really an excellent and successful businessman. His introduction of Chinese oil paintings to Asia and Europe was a pioneering contribution. He himself was also a painter. In the year the gallery was established, though he was busy, he still produced a number of works. Due to his experience in painting, he had sharp connoisseur's eyes and his gallery could accommodate different styles. During the past few years, the influence of Chinese oil paintings overseas has expanded greatly. Mr. Schoeni's contribution cannot be denied. He was an ambassador of Chinese culture. Schoeni Art Gallery earned the honour of "The Best Gallery" in 1999 in Hong Kong.

Mr. Schoeni was a very conscientious person. Organising every exhibition was not an easy job and one had to handle a number of different complicated factors. He personally attended to every detail of each exhibition. Before Yi Dong's pictorial was published, he had presented a number of layouts to discuss with Yi Dong the best possible solution. When setting up the exhibition venue, he was often seen moving the exhibits himself, going back and forth to find the best locations and up and down the ladder to adjust the lighting. He was totally committed to the attainment of perfection.

Throughout these years of acquaintance, we have regarded him as a life companion. We not only talked about oil paintings, but also about our families and other minor things. He had a kind of wisdom regarding complicated issues. For a period, Yi Dong was upset by his organisation. Mr. Schoeni advised him to solve those easiest to handle in the first, leaving the more difficult ones to handle last, and to listen to bad news before good news so as to maintain a good mood. When Lu Wei became ill, he brought the latest overseas medical information to her and tried to lift her spirits every time he saw her. Lu Wei was heartened every time she recalled these moments.

He lives in our memories as well as our family photo albums. It seems we can still hear his clear, magnetic, deep voice, talking and talking. A mosaic of happily shared experiences will live on in our memories. We shall miss him.

Li Lu Wei & Wang Yi Dong
2004