Hand-scroll paintings by Shanghai artists to headline art fair
The 2017 Shanghai Art Fair will take place from November 2 to 5 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center in the Pudong New Area.
The fair, which was established in 1997, is considered one of the largest and oldest events of its kind in Asia. This year, some 140 galleries from over 16 countries and regions are participating.
Varied artworks ranging from canvas, sculpture, installation, ink-wash painting to ceramics and print will be on display. There will also be seminars under the theme of “Art Brightens Life” during the fair.
Among the highlights are:
Hand scroll paintings by Shanghai artists
Hand scroll painting has a long history in Chinese art history. It is a combination of calligraphy and visual images created by the artists. The size could be long or short depending on the content.
According to Zhang Lixing, curator of the exhibition, hand scroll painting as an ancient art genre is gradually fading. But a group of artists from Shanghai such as Xie Zhiliu, Shao Zejiong and Bao Ying try to revive the old genre.
Zhang says hand scroll painting requires a strict traditional technique in framing.
Mini-landscape wood-carving
The mini-landscape carved by 81-year-old Taiwan artist Chang Jing will be shown at the fair. Based on a profound understanding of trees and wood, Chang started to learn wood-carving at the age of 50.
His special technique plus his own aesthetic taste won him several awards both at home and abroad for his mini-landscape wood-carving works.
Solo exhibition of abstract paintings by Wang Yuan
Wang, an art professor at East China Normal University, has been engaged in abstract painting for several decades. The 52-year-old artist says that he doesn’t like to live in a society where everything has a standard.
“Luckily, I have art which can’t be standardized,” he says.
The most impressive thing about Wang’s abstract works is the shape, which is often irregular.
“I want to open another window to see the world. In fact, triangle is my vision,” he explains.
Wang says he prefers to use traditional brush, which is usually used on rice paper, to paint on canvas, as the softness and flexibility of the traditional brush is incomparable.
The twisted lines with different colors inside the triangle could be imagined as skyline, coastline, starliner and even nerves.
Abstract paintings by David D’or
David D’or, an Israeli singer, composer and songwriter, is a three-time winner of the “Singer of the Year” and “Best Vocal Performer” in Israel. He also sang for former US Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Seven years ago, the musician started to paint abstract works, rendering a striking visual impact through colors.
Exhibition details
Shanghai Art Fair
Date: November 2-5, 10am-6pm
Venue: Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center
Address: 1099 Guozhan Rd, Pudong New Area
