The Glass Bead Game｜Exhibition Introduction

The name "Glass Bead Game" originated from the novel "Glass Bead Game" written by Nobel Prize winner Hermann Hesse in 1946. Hesse spent his whole life exploring the life encounters and choices of artists. In this work, he expresses his great idea of integrating the dialectical philosophical thoughts in ancient Chinese books and Western culture, and weaves a philosophical utopian idea with a series of symbols and metaphors, which symbolizes the master of the artist group, Joseph Knik. And reverse the fate of the tragedy.

Artists in Hong Kong are looking for self-definition in the ocean current where Chinese classical and Western painting history, traditional classics and contemporary avant-garde meet. The differences and conflicts between the two cultures make them constantly integrate and dialogue with it. In this exhibition, four Hong Kong artists, Chen Weibang, Huang Yingchang, Ye Peiling, and Zhang Zhanheng, will use their own knowledge or experience in the past and present to make different deconstructions, responses and dialogues about the touch of the modern world, and launch a reflection on the Utopian vision of Eastern and Western art. "Glass Bead Game".

The combination of western abstract oil painting with the poetic flavor of Chinese mountains and rivers, which seems vague and invisible, has become a summary of Chen Weibang's refined exploration of Chinese and Western art and painting practice. The experience of studying in the United States enabled Chen Weibang to rigorously master the techniques and essence of art schools such as Cubism, American Abstract Expressionism, and Neo-Expressionism, and combined them with his deep love for Chinese aesthetics to achieve calligraphy-like brushstrokes in his works , the undulating rhythm of music, and the unique aesthetic realm of new poetic sensibility and abstraction.

Huang Yingchang, who was born in the Lingnan School of Painting, perfectly inherited the classical spirit of the sages of his school of painting. His creations are rooted in tradition and present a sense of nostalgia. Its calligraphy is vertical and horizontal on the monuments of the Han Dynasty and the Wei Dynasty, forming a style of its own; the Chinese painting craftsmanship is also written, the brushwork is dexterous, and the calligraphy is used to enter the painting, and the calligraphy and painting are brilliant.

Ye Peiling's creations are characterized by the combination of Cubism and Manga. The ordinary and strongly distorted brushstrokes interspersed in every corner of the picture, rich color layers, changeable lines and weird colors together constitute a picture full of illusions and real struggles. The painter also uses this to show the bitter and strange experiences in life, doubts about personal identity, and strong personal emotions.

Zhang Zhanheng explores the art of ink wash, using glass, crystal, jade, mineral pigments, water, ink and paper to create black and white spatial works full of artistic imagination. The installations and images composed of traditional images such as jade, blessing, religion, and meditation express the content of distinctive era characteristics such as viruses, isolation, and masks. This kind of contrast and contrast constitutes an interesting experience, and it also gives new meaning to the ancient black and white ink painting. life.

The four artists are all talking, absorbing, selecting, and merging in their respective sources, and their juxtaposition in this exhibition will present different dialogues and responses. The audience will feel the impact brought by their combination, so as to feel and experience those previous cultural and artistic experiences from a new perspective.

This exhibition will also hold two dialogues on April 22. The four artists will be divided into two groups - Chen Weibang, who is characterized by the abstract landscape of Jue style, and Ye Peiling, who combines cubism and generalism; Huang Yingchang, who combines traditional calligraphy flowers and birds with Zhang Zhanheng, contemporary ink artist, had dialogues respectively. stay tuned.

Exhibition Details

• The Glass Bead Game
• Date: 21 Apr - 19 May 2023
• Time: 10:00 - 19:00 (Monday to Friday)｜12:00 - 18:00 (Saturday)
• Venue: Art of Nature Contemporary Gallery
• Address: 21/F, Mega Trade Centre, 1 Mei Wan St, Tsuen Wan, HK

The source of the above information: Art of Nature Int'l official website