城市只光 2, 2016, Chinese Ink on Paper, 75 x 144 cm
This new exhibition at AC43 features 25 recent paintings by Chinese contemporary ink artist Li Jian Gang. The City I Breathe is the third solo exhibition in Singapore for the China-born artist, following two previous successful shows Urbanscape Nostalgia (2012) and The Lyricism of Solitude (2014).
Born in Henan in 1954, Li Jian Gang specializes in the Chinese “da xieyi” (freehand) painting method of cityscapes. Known for his lively brushwork and sensitive expression with ink smudges, his paintings draw a sepia-toned or monochromatic palette that stretches the tonality of Chinese ink; at times furnished with colour washes that appear minimal yet fluorescent in effect.
The solitude and spiritual pursuit arising from man’s quotidian struggle for a sense of place and belonging in a complex city is poetically epitomized in the lyrical and often atmospheric compositions of Li Jian Gang. Be it a striking city skyline or a contemplative “viewfinder” moment, his image elucidates an urban beauty tinged with wistful nostalgia. In an era where many Chinese artists struggle to express the modern-day life through the Chinese ink medium and traditional genres, Li Jian Gang stands out for his unique and progressive aesthetic approach.
Venue: AC43 Gallery, 231, Bain Street #02-43, Bras Basah Complex, Singapore 180231
When: 3 - 12 Jun 2016, 12noon - 7pm
By: AC43 Gallery
