8 Chinese Artists Reshape Body Sense And Color Awakening

This is a group exhibition of contemporary Chinese sculptures, bringing together works by TIAN Shixin, SUI Jianguo, ZHAN Wang, JIANG Jie, XIANG Jing, WANG Wei, LIANG Shuo and GENG Xue.

Introduction to "Empathy" (2018) by Song Art MuseumSong Art Museum

Empathy usually refers to the alikeness of perception between different people; it is also an expression of gratitude. If we expand it, introducing artworks outside of you and me, and including the relationship between artists and works and the relationship between the audience and works of art, the connotation of this word can be enriched to a large extent.

Walking (2015) by Wang WeiSong Art Museum

Body Sense

Each body has an opportunity to be revitalized, either from inner perception and intense emotion, or from the creation and arousal of various exercise techniques. These sculptures also display such kind of characteristics. Whether figurative or abstract, with the help of the sculptors, these bodies break the skin and type given by former styles, and change into a new reality. Meanwhile, they give us fresh cognition and feelings.

Gemini (2009) by Sui JianguoSong Art Museum

The works of Gemini on show are Sui Jianguo's marks in the state of boxing sculpture clay. The use of boxing gloves makes it impossible for him to carry out traditional sculpture with his hands.

Gemini (2009) by Sui JianguoSong Art Museum

On the one hand, the defamiliarization of sculpture tools is to show the level the body is not accustomed to displaying; on the other hand, this extreme treatment of sculpture clay also awakens another kind of "materiality" which was not known before.

Morph No.1 (2010) by Zhan WangSong Art Museum

At the beginning of creating the work of Morph, Zhan Wang gave the reason for the reflection of the physical image from stainless steel rockery, which is a process of establishing the logical relevance of artworks before and after.

Forms in Flux No.5 (2017) by Zhan WangSong Art Museum

The effects of "co-existence of strokes of the pen" and "co-existence of things", which are often said in the theory of Chinese painting, could be seen in his sculptures.

Installation Image of "Empathy" (2008) by Liang ShuoSong Art Museum

The series of What can be regarded as Liang Shuo's warning and reflection of "shaping".

The negative space formed by pulling the sculpture clay is endowed with entity, and the process of "non-shape" is also the process of display of characteristics of the sculpture clay itself.

Installation Image of The Poetry of Michelangelo (2015) by Geng XueSong Art Museum

The video of Poetry of Michelangelo records the working process of the sculptor. When Geng Xue created this work, on the one hand, she experienced love poems written by Michelangelo, and on the other hand, she talked with the man's body she created.

The Poetry of Michelangelo (2015) by Geng XueSong Art Museum

If we consider Michelangelo's poetry as an inducer for Geng Xue to construct a relationship with the clay figure, then, the sculpting process that ensues is extremely touching, while the video recording brings about strong heartquake.

Wang Yangming (1994) by Tian ShixinSong Art Museum

The creation by Tian Shixin and Wang Wei has shown another approach. Generally speaking, with long immersion and endeavor in figurative sculptures, they have reached an advanced level of grasping and making use of the sculpting material.

Liang Shumin (2014) by Tian ShixinSong Art Museum

In the recent century, statues of ancient and modern celebrities have become popular themes for sculptors. However, Tian's creations of the same theme could still refresh our understanding on these celebrities.

Installation Image of "Empathy" by Wang WeiSong Art Museum

As for portraits by Wang Wei, they are closely related to daily perception. His control over the volume of his sculptures and his delicate handling are rare among the contemporary sculpture scene.

Installation Image of "Empathy" by Wang WeiSong Art Museum

Wang's calm personality, willingness to be lonely, and his persistent endeavor in realistic sculptures play a major role. Several exhibited works featuring horses reveal his dedication to a single theme.

Dancer (2005) by Jiang JieSong Art Museum

Color Awakening

After the age of iconography, the coloring of sculptures appears. It's about the awakening of colors, and the enlightenment of reality. On the other side, it's also non-color, indicating the duality and relativity of the visible world, that is, its illusory nature.

Right Hand (2015/2016) by Xiang JingSong Art Museum

Referring to the human body, Xiang Jing expresses her ideas on divinity and humanity in her sculptures and then reflects on non-humanity.

Anger in Motion (2013/2016) by Xiang JingSong Art Museum

With the hybridity of chaos, coloration, and figuration, the artist intends to bring us into pure yet intense emotions in her works. Rather than trying to figure it out, it is better to feel and experience the visible.

Be Kind to Melancholy, That Big Loyal Dog (2013/2016) by Xiang JingSong Art Museum

The interrelation of shape and color represents the existence of all things and reflects some tendency of human perception. The artist reaches the core of matters from the appearance. Feelings of tragedy, ecstasy, and destruction are triggered by visuality.

Being (2001) by Jiang JieSong Art Museum

In Being, Jiang Jie creates two oversize monochromatic baby heads, which intensifies the babies' emotions. Such emotions seem to go beyond their ages, yet that's exactly the truth neglected by us.

March Forward March Forward (2012) by Jiang JieSong Art Museum

In Marching Forward Marching Forward, the distortion of ballerinas' bodies after long-term training and the physical imperfection during their performance are all captured by the camera.

Meanwhile, the accumulation of individuals is presented in the large-scale installation of hundreds of toe shoes.

Otherworld - Invulnerable Creature (2011) by Xiang JingSong Art Museum

In a word, it depends on your ability of making me feel the same.

Credits: Story

ARTISTS: TIAN Shixin, SUI Jianguo, ZHAN Wang, JIANG Jie, XIANG Jing, WANG Wei, LIANG Shuo and GENG Xue

ACADEMIC DIRECTOR: FAN Di'an
CURATOR: LIU Libin
EXHIBITION COORDINATOR: WANG Duan

This exhibition is organized by Song Art Museum and Huayi Brothers Art Co., Ltd., in cooperation with Song Feng Ya Ji.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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