Water Dripping - Splashing, 2014, stainless steel, 127 x 190 x 340 inches/322.5 x 482.6 x 863.6 cm

Zheng Lu: Reflections on Still Water is an exhibition of gravity-defying metal sculptures by celebrated Beijing-based artist Zheng Lu. On view will be new works, pieces from his iconic Water in Dripping series and the TK-foot-high installation, which garnered international attention at Art Stage Singapore this year.

Transforming the gallery space, Zheng’s restless stainless steel forms leap across the room evoking splashes of water suspended mid-air. His works are composed of thousands of Chinese characters, which are laser-cut into metal then hand-welded together in a fashion similar to linking chainmail. The interlocking forms are then molded into dynamic compositions. What results are ethereal sculptures that are technically astonishing; their fluid, animated forms are charged with energy or qi. “The manner in which light passes through the hollow sculpture makes my work appear weightless, which dissolves the traditional idea of sculptures being solid and grounded,” says the artist.

Zheng’s art is deeply influenced by his study of traditional Chinese calligraphy. A native of Inner Mongolia, he grew up practicing calligraphy with his grandfather and transcribing poetry for his father, a man of letters. His early works referenced Chinese calligraphy scrolls. He began carving characters into the surface of stainless steel sheets introducing negative spaces. The punctured metal pieces transformed a heavy, cold medium into something both physically and psychologically lighter and more engaging.

Artist talk Q&A: Saturday, April 16, 3 to 4pm

Venue: Sundaram Tagore Gallery, 5 Lock Road 01-05, Gillman Barracks, Singapore 108933

When: 15 Apr - 19 May 2016,

By: Sundaram Tagore Gallery Singapore