FQ Projects is pleased to present the dual show of contemporary ink wash paintings by Xu Ke and painted ceramic works by Li Shao Zun.
Crescent Moon is taken from a Buddhist metaphor, meaning ‘the truth in the mystery’. The spirit of Xu Ke’s ink wash paintings could be said to run in parallel with this metaphor; mysterious in themselves. His work needs to be viewed with an appreciation towards the interaction between the three key elements of this medium; water, ink and paper.
The spontaneous contact between these three materials expresses both the mark and rhythm of the ink, creating a synergy with the variations of shade on the paper. This not only expresses an important semantic of Xu Ke’s ink wash world, but also allows his life experiences to be converted symbolically through his visual language. The trace of the blending between ink and water reveals both depth and restraint within his work. As a result the accidental effect through various combinations of black and white becomes both profound and intangible. He focuses on the original character of the ink, yet also stresses the brush to obey his inner feelings and present spiritual intentions of Zen. The works on display are all forms of grid collage, allowing the possibility to appreciate each piece not only in its entirety but also as separated edited entities. This creative form of working was originally pioneered by Xu Ke and even now is rarely witnessed within the ink wash world.
Echoing Xu Ke’s ink wash paintings, Li Shao Zun’s ceramics reflect the art of creation through the state of meditative breathing. Kao Gongji is the world’s earliest literature on crafts theory. It proposed a simple view on generating art stating “the sky has tense, the ground has atmosphere, material has beauty, and work has skill, one is best with all four united”. To date the porcelain concepts of Li Shao Zun still rely on the big idea behind these simple rules. When creating art, this idea influences the connections between the artists collections of colour under glaze, glaze colour, clay and porcelain craft. Li Shao Zun’s works in plain hand-throwing manufacturing keeps to the manual production of pottery. It first uses traditional cylinders and spray base colouring, then drawings and paints colour before glazing. It is also manufactured with airbrushed engravings and similar practices. The rough texture of works in clay and the exquisiteness of porcelain find a balance between one another and form a distinctive matte texture.
Li Shao Zun’s work is created on the basis of a balanced and self-satisfied state of mind. He uses picturesque paintings from life, such as the flowers and plants of the four seasons, and simply portrays the forms and colours of an object. Primarily depicted in gloomy hues, the work balances and contrasts single colours in a plain pursuit of a pure, simple and natural realm. Such an attitude for creation happens very rare in Jingdezhen. His unique creations refer to the aspects of painting, texture and iridescence.
Xu Ke’s work is regularly exhibited in western countries and collected by International Institutions. Currently he lives and works in Shanghai. Li Shao Zun, born in Jiang Xi, graduated from Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute. His works were selected for Jiang Xi Youth Exhibition, receiving prize of Jingdezhen Ceramic Baihua Awards in 2006. His works were also exhibited at Treberfydd Foundation, Wales. Currently lives and works in Jingdezhen.
*image (left)
The Way of Mortal Coll, 2013
ink wash on rice paper, 75x75cm
© Xu Ke
courtesy of the artist and FQ Projects
