In celebration of Galerie du Monde’s 40th anniversary and the gallery’s continuing emphasis in presenting outstanding works of art by contemporary ink painting artists, we take great pleasure in proposing this exceptional exhibition of paintings by the exceptional artists Li Gang and Qin Chong.
“Shedding Constraints” is a joint exhibition of Li Gang, from his “The Elements of Ink and Wash” series and Qin Chong from his “Whatever” series. Opening on July 3, the exhibition will run until August 31.
Li Gang and Qin Chong are two of China’s avant-garde artists who have broken away from conventional styles of Chinese ink painting. By using ink and paper in decidedly unorthodox ways, they have transformed their deep understanding of Chinese culture into new artistic concepts.
Born in the 1960s in Guangdong, Li Gang practiced traditional Chinese painting and printmaking since he was small. After years of experience in experimenting with traditional Chinese ink painting, the artist transformed his deep understanding of Chinese culture to revive the soul of ink and to redefine and promote its new significance. He worships and honors ink painting while merging it into his own wisdom, so that it is reborn as a ritual of ink. Ink is the spirit of Chinese civilization that we have long loved and cherished. Through its evolution, ink has broadened in form while its spirit remains unchanged.
Li Gang, “Elements of Ink and Wash NO.20131216”, ink and wash on xuan paper, 229 X 172 cm , 2013
李綱，《水墨元素 No. No. 20131216》，紙本水墨，229 x 172 cm，2013
In the series of “The Elements of Ink and Wash”, Li creates abstract and square compartments, symmetrical lines that come close to a perfect balance in the thickness of ink, patchworks that have been jumbled and rearranged, and the contrast and dialogue between different materials. These touches constitute his understanding and expression of ink art in the contemporary realm. Li’s series can be called “experimental” works, while they are also an extension of the poetics of Chinese ink. The extension of such poetics is not simply manifested in water and ink, but also a reversal of materials, texture, imagery, and paintings and the intellectual realm.
According to Mr. Wang Huangsheng (Museum curator of CAFA and an artist himself), Li has elevated this “experience” of artistic creation into “cultivation” in his everyday life. It is exalted into a way of living, a means of cultivation towards a higher realm in life. The ink, traces of life, emotional states and higher realms in life, may all become a new stage in Li’s development, and an expression of his “cultivation” through the journey of life and existence.
Born in Xinjiang, Qin Chong enrolled in the Beijing College of Arts and Crafts (Beijing Institute of Art and Design) in 1986. During his studies in Beijing, Qin was deeply influenced by the emerging socio-ideological waves of the time and art became a profound means of expressing his emotions. Qin’s artistic creation evolved along with his personal growth, with no clear distinctions between the different stages of his development. The artist’s vision was extended through his creations in multiple mediums, as well as through changing time and space.
Qin Chong, “6 March-Whatever”, ink on paper, 98 x290 cm, 2011
秦沖，《三月六日無所謂》，紙本水墨，98 x290 cm，2011
In the series “Whatever”, Qin uses ink lines repeatedly in an attempt to achieve the concept of plane through layers and crisscross of lines in a simple and concise way. Qin turns to the Chinese culture for inspirations which really touch his soul. From this series, you can tell the artist was deeply influenced by Chinese traditional calligraphy and paintings. Qin uses the simplest and most compact constructions and patterns. Though most of his works are reduced to primary geometrical forms, they are far from being merely minimalist.
Qin Chong’s works are mostly monochromatic, especially black, white and shades of grey resulting from overlaying. In his process of repeating and superimposing, his works reveal a sense of freedom that span between minimalism and maximalism.
“We can see the true creativity of Chinese artists in the art of Qin Chong, a creativity that is grounded in the spirit of China. Perhaps, only such creation can be called the true contemporary art of China,” said Peng Feng. (Professor at Peking University and renowned curator in China)
