L’existence précède l’essence——Jean-Paul Sartre

Existentialists believe that the meaning of human existence can’t be discovered through rational thinking; they rather emphasize the individuality, freedom and subjective human experience.

A central proposition of Existentialism is that there is not an ultimate goal in our world. We often find ourselves living in a hostile world; we cannot avoid making choices of our characteristics, goals and opinions; even no choice is a “choice.”
The upcoming exhibition at Aroundspace Gallery, The Moment of Existence is Qiu Hao’s first solo exhibition. All works presented are products of his “choices,” as well as critical reflection of his personal experience.

Qiu combined silk, rice paper, lambskin, horsehair and other materials, and made them co-exist in his work, with subtle treatment that is difficult to detect. All works were derived from his “choices,” and possessed the sensations of touch evoked by their textures.

Qiu’s art is trying to simplify the reality and purify the nature. These either figurative or abstract shapes are the reflection of his deep inner world and a sumptuous outside world. He made artworks of fixable shapes after careful consideration and accurate interpretation, and framed them in their “spiritual moment.”

Some of Qiu’s artworks are filled with energy that can be detected in their presence; while others are nearly nothingness as if they lost their gravity. The world and the truth of our existence reveal our anxiety and fear of uncertainty, yet these uneasy moments are turned into peaceful energy in Qiu Hao’s art.

Qiu always attempted to capture Eastern aesthetics and spirits by using Western methodology and logic. The East prefers feel while the West prefers read, which can be interpreted as subjective experience vs. objective knowledge. It is from the subjective human experience that we obtain the power to confront the world and ourselves.