“Gallery by the Harbour” and Yan Gallery are delighted to announce their next exhibition entitled “Garnering the Essence” from Aug 25 to September 11. 2011, which will feature a collection of bronze and stainless steel sculpture by the young Chinese artist Ren Zhe. This exhibition will be the last stop of the Asian tour, following exhibitions in Beijing, Singapore, Shanghai, and Taipei.
Ren Zhe graduated in 2005 from Tsing Hua University’s Department of Sculpture, Academy of Arts and Design, and since then has thrown himself into the life of a full time sculptor with the passion and conviction of a true artist.
The theme of Ren Zhe’s body of work is ancient warriors and civil officials. Ren Zhe’s love of Chinese history, culture and tradition is immediately apparent in his work. What makes his work instantly captivating, however, is the overwhelming sense of power that his characters portray. This strength is intoxicating and uplifting for the viewer. Like the artist himself, all his characters seem to be striving for the sublime; they display a high sense of moral integrity, a noble character and strength of spirit.
Ren Zhe’s style is based on his classical training; however, his interest in the ancient art of Chinese pottery, give his works a feel of the Tang Dynasty as well. Ren Zhe exaggerates certain features of his figures, such as expanding the chest size or narrowing the waist, in order to give an added sense of grandeur and power. His figures resonate with deep emotions. Despite depicting figures from a bygone era, Ren Zhe successfully manages to communicate with a contemporary audience. His figures pay tribute to the popularity of the Japanese manga characters, however, they convey far deeper emotions than their animated counterparts. His characters are reflections of his own hopes, dreams and aspirations for a China proud of its long and illustrious cultural heritage.
The works in bronze are expressively hewn, the folds in the warriors’ capes are jagged and rough, the hands are delicate and refined, the heads are protected by shiny helmets, often using another material, which has become the artist’s signature trait. The works fill us with awe and inspiration; they are at once profound and touching. His most recent works are in stainless steel, which not only have a more contemporary feel, but they also captivate us with their interesting play of light and shade reflecting in the shiny metal. Ren Zhe exalts the male torso by highlighting the sculpted muscles and lean physique of these beautiful warriors.
Ren Zhe was born in Beijing in 1983. In the short time since graduating he has received some very prestigious awards, and his works have been collected by important institutions and collectors, including the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Organizing Committee and the National Art Museum of China. Wong Yaming, Deputy Director of the Palace Museum in Beijing describes Ren Zhe as “the most impressive young sculptor in China today”.
