Wang Ai, born in early 1970s, began to study fine arts when he was very young. But his achievements in poetry and novels gained a good reputation for him in Chinese poem field in 1990s and he became a symbolic figure of post-1970s poets then. However, Wang Ai did not want to put all his efforts in writing. He played a positive role in various kinds of interactivities and trans-field activities related to contemporary arts as known to us. Frequently attending domestic and overseas arts exhibitions in recent years has witnessed a steady and mature transition from a famed poet. His insightful views on painting arts afford much food for thought.
As for this Solo Exhibition of Wang Ai's Works titled by "Practitioner", it is planned by Sun Lei, a poet and critic. Zhu Zhu, an indepent curator, poet and critic, and European independent curator Doctor Alexandra Grimmer will be invited as academic presenters. A total of more than 30 pieces of works created by Wang Ai between 2012 and 2014 will be put on display. As is said by Wang Ai himself, it is an outcome demonstration for six years' study on paper painting. Looking from the surface of the image, it seems to simulate the picture composed of objective images. However, if much attention paid to these images, we will find a strange variation from the decomposition or recombination of dense lines and this variation is based on the accuracy of outlook of objective images. Thereupon, the paradox for establishing painting language has manifested clearly among the patience, resolution and willpower of the artists. However, paintings of Wang Ai not only include paradox privative thoughts, but also can carry out various textual works in a balance and orderly way. Therefore, textual overlapping and interactivity makes the significance of repeating oriented to composing articles like netting as said by Roland Barthes. In this sense, Wang Ai is a knitter of arts.
Almost all contemporary art knitters are heading toward a big tradition of themselves so as to get rid of the restriction of contemporary consumption symbols. Wang Ai is included. He is inclined to empty the objective image and simulate the traditional images. Conceptualized utilization of historic image resources and lapping handling on abstract form implies the artist has achieved the balance between certain life belief and reality as a practitioner. Huge Stone Gallery Contemporary Art Gallery will present you an art feast of Wang Ai's fine works.
About Wang Ai
Wang Ai, male, poet, artist, fiction writer, born November 1971 in Huangyan, Zhejiang Province. In childhood and youth he learned art and poetry under influence of his father and older brother. He began publishing poetry in the mid-to-late Eighties. In the early Nineties he worked for an animation company in Shenzhen. In 1994 he came to Beijing and resided in the Yuanmingyuan Artists Village. During the Nineties he won poetry prizes and co-edited the independent poetry journals Biaozhun (Standards) and Shiyi (Poetic Craft). He wrote a full-length novel Sijiao-chaotian (Four Feet Turned Skyward) and a collection of novellas Sheshi-wushidu (50 Degrees Centigrade). His poetry collections include Qingrou de yuyan (Svelte Discourses), Meng de gaikuo (Encapsulation of Dreams) and the long poems Kuanghuanjie (Carnival) and Hailuoyin shidai (Age of Heroin). After 2000 he wrote the poetic suite Nanfang (Southland). He has also written 10+ pieces of art criticism. He currently lives in Beijing.
About the exhibition
Curator: Sun Lei
Academic presenter: Zhu Zhu, Alexandra Grimmer
Opening Time: 15:00 pm, May 10th, 2014
Exhibition Duration: May 10th to June 7th, 2014
Venue: Qikeshu Head Office of Huge Stone Gallery Contemporary Art Gallery
Address: Creativity Park C1-5, Qikeshu, Dongba Town, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Sponsor: Beijing Huge Stone Gallery Contemporary Arts Co., Ltd
Co-sponsor: Huge Stone Gallery Contemporary Art Gallery
Courtesy of the artist and Huge Stone Gallery Contemporary Art Gallery.
