Wood sculpture with movable parts
By Wang Jie |
March 19, 2013, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
SCULPTURE is usually supposed to be appreciated by walking around it and viewing it from different angles, sometimes by entering it, sometimes by climbing on it.
But mechanical, mostly wooden, sculpture by Chinese-American artist Peng Xiaojia is supposed to be touched and played with. Some can be held.
An exhibition of around 70 works contains pegs, hinges, doors and assorted moving parts. Curated by noted critic Zhao Li, the exhibition is underway at the Shanghai Oil Painting and Sculpture Art Museum through April 7.
Born in Beijing in 1955, Peng graduated from the sculpture department of the National Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing in 1982. His contemporary work was not appreciated. In 1989 he moved to the United States for further study and he now lives there.
During the past decades, Peng has works on different series, some emphasizing Chinese culture, some exploring the limits of Western realistic sculpture, and some fusing Eastern and Western styles.
When he was 16, Peng was sent to study wood carving at a crafts factory during the "cultural revolution" (1966-1976). "The solid shape of wood and its particular texture became deeply rooted in my mind ... wood can be either unpolished or glamorous," he says.
Wood reminded him of traditional Chinese craftsmanship, particularly the elegant furniture of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
"Art is not decided by material, but by the innovation of the artist. Many people tell me that they find my sculptures very contemporary," he says.
The highlight of the exhibition is Peng's series inspired by elements of traditional Chinese furniture, but the sculptures are not actual furniture and lack apparent function.
Peng says he emphasizes the "extreme intricacy" of the sculptures to offset the public character of most sculpture.
"China has never lacked sculpture but the sculptures recognized by the West are monumental public pieces," he says. "But my sculptures become quite personal and private ... traditional craftsmanship has always been part of the Chinese way of sculpture."
Date: Through April 7, 10am-5pm
Address: 111 Jinzhu Rd
Tel: 6275-9930
But mechanical, mostly wooden, sculpture by Chinese-American artist Peng Xiaojia is supposed to be touched and played with. Some can be held.
An exhibition of around 70 works contains pegs, hinges, doors and assorted moving parts. Curated by noted critic Zhao Li, the exhibition is underway at the Shanghai Oil Painting and Sculpture Art Museum through April 7.
Born in Beijing in 1955, Peng graduated from the sculpture department of the National Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing in 1982. His contemporary work was not appreciated. In 1989 he moved to the United States for further study and he now lives there.
During the past decades, Peng has works on different series, some emphasizing Chinese culture, some exploring the limits of Western realistic sculpture, and some fusing Eastern and Western styles.
When he was 16, Peng was sent to study wood carving at a crafts factory during the "cultural revolution" (1966-1976). "The solid shape of wood and its particular texture became deeply rooted in my mind ... wood can be either unpolished or glamorous," he says.
Wood reminded him of traditional Chinese craftsmanship, particularly the elegant furniture of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
"Art is not decided by material, but by the innovation of the artist. Many people tell me that they find my sculptures very contemporary," he says.
The highlight of the exhibition is Peng's series inspired by elements of traditional Chinese furniture, but the sculptures are not actual furniture and lack apparent function.
Peng says he emphasizes the "extreme intricacy" of the sculptures to offset the public character of most sculpture.
"China has never lacked sculpture but the sculptures recognized by the West are monumental public pieces," he says. "But my sculptures become quite personal and private ... traditional craftsmanship has always been part of the Chinese way of sculpture."
Date: Through April 7, 10am-5pm
Address: 111 Jinzhu Rd
Tel: 6275-9930
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