Karin Weber Gallery is pleased to present Seeking Inner Peace: Works in Ink by Xu Jingwen and Angel Hui, a show that introduces the work of two young Chinese artists returning to ancient practices and subject matter which capture an age old spirituality many find absent from today’s world.
Traditional Chinese culture values the human spirit and a virtuous life lived true to one’s heart, reflecting ancient philosophies such as Confucianism and Daoism. Artistic expressions of these beliefs often find their voice through the equally ancient, calligraphy-based medium of ink painting.
Xu Jingwen (b. 1982), depicts the spiritual side of humankind in his Plain Landscape series, closely following in the footsteps of the most treasured masters of Chinese landscape painting. For Xu nature, paradoxically, becomes a metaphor for the spirit of the artist and all mankind. His small, focused landscapes -- depicting trees, rocks, clouds and sky – are purposely devoid of human presence. Xu’s intention, by eschewing a large-scale format, is to immerse the viewer in the peaceful settings he creates.
Angel Hui (b. 1990), dedicates her practice to the examination of traditional Chinese motifs, symbols and patterns found in objects and decorations. By coupling age-old concepts with the unique influences of the present, such as ready-made and often disposable objects, Hui suggests an innovative way of celebrating meaningful cultural traditions.
About the Artists
Xu Jingwen was born in Shenyang and currently lives in Beijing. He graduated from Renmin University of China, School of Arts, majoring in Chinese ink painting. Unusually for this younger generation of artists, Xu has firmly mastered the traditional ink painting technique. Seeking Inner Peace is his debut show with Karin Weber Gallery.
One of our gallery’s youngest artists, Angel Hui Hoi Kiu was born in Hong Kong. She received her BA (Hons.) in visual arts from Hong Kong Baptist University in 2014. This was preceded by an exchange program leading to a BA in Chinese Painting at Minzu University of China (Beijing) in 2012. Angel is currently working towards her MA in Experimental Art at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. This is her second show with Karin Weber Gallery.
