Zhang Chunji, ‘Ayangbai No. 25,’ 2008. Courtesy of Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions.
There is an ancient Chinese proverb that defines the transitional period between the young and the mature as Blue & Yellow, with blue signifying youth and yellow, maturity. Titled “Blue & Yellow, Swift Transitions of Self,” the exhibition and auction reflect this Chinese idiom in the works of more than 100 emerging contemporary Chinese artists. Participating artists are from the most acclaimed art academies in China. The range of works on offer provides the collector or investor with a stunning range of contemporary Chinese artwork, with pieces to suit all tastes, and prices to suit all pockets. This exhibition will capture the vibrancy of the current contemporary art scene in China and bring it to London collectively for the first time and offer the discerning art buyer a rare opportunity to invest in the future of the Chinese art market.
Mr. Li, CEO of Yourun International, commented on the significance of the ground-breaking exhibition and auction: “The unique cooperation between Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions and Yourun International has been a delightful journey in bringing the best of China’s emerging Contemporary art to the U.K art market,” he said.
The list of artists is impressive. For example, Fang Zanru’s technique creates a stunning fusion of the traditional and contemporary in both the Chinese and Western art forms. She sees herself as part of the unseen scenery; through her painting she tries to explain the way she looks at the world and some of the countries she has only experienced through the artwork of the old masters. Her work flows effortlessly between guessing and interpreting these unseen lands where art can continue to develop. Zanru began studying in the Oil Painting department at the China Academy of Art in 2009. Highly influenced by the masters, in particular Piero della Francesca, and contemporary artists who draw on the traditional technique, such as Balthus, she favors works that have a deep connection with tradition. Her representative works, the “Invisible Landscape” series, have been exhibited in China where they have been well received and resulted in her being awarded two important scholarships in 2012.
An exciting mixture of artists calls on both traditional and modern techniques and inspiration that weaves its way magically through this collection of contemporary works, each artist displaying a unique tone and style. Amongst the most established of the artists is Wang Chaogang, Deputy Director of the Oil Painting Department at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute. His fascination for ancient Chinese culture and profound understanding of Western art creates a juxtaposition of modernity and traditionalism throughout his work, which is largely based on the natural elements. In 2006 Chaogang traveled and lived in Europe as a visiting scholar at the Pantheon-Sorbonne University in Paris. His experiences and cultural observations are very much a part of his artistic endeavors.
A preoccupation with the natural world infuses Zang Chunji’s work, and his paintings stand testament to his deeply rooted belief of the power of the natural world to attract an audience. As the original creative source, his work is inspired by his unique understanding of “landscape” and “scenery.” He describes Chinese artists as being too close to nature and Western artists as being too detached, and throughout his work he strives to highlight what both approaches neglect: nature’s own forces. A teacher at the Sichuan Academy of fine Art, Chunji’s works are collected and exhibited by the Ministry of Culture Exchange Center, Xiangning Art Museum and the CITIC Industrial Bank. His current work belongs to “A Central White” series, which was exhibited at the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam in 2008.
Many of the artists have never before exhibited their works internationally, so this unique exhibition allows for an exciting and rare opportunity to witness the Chinese Contemporary art scene first hand.
John Deston, Gallery Manager at The Mall Galleries commented: “As a champion of contemporary figurative art by living artists, Mall Galleries are very pleased to welcome Yourun Art and Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions for this auction of Contemporary Chinese Painting. These works show a level of dedication to technique and draftsmanship that the Federation of British Artists is thrilled to see.”
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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Zhang Chunji, ‘Ayangbai No. 25,’ 2008. Courtesy of Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions. Wang Chaogang, ‘Blossoming Plum Tree,’ 2012. Courtesy of Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions. Fang Zanru, ‘Unseen Scenery IV,’ 2012. Courtesy of Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions.
