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Delving into the personal to find meaning
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A solo exhibition by Ann Niu featuring the artist’s latest works titled “Studio Life” is underway at ArtCN gallery near Suzhou Creek.
Two new series, exhibited here for the first time, “Songs of Peony” and “Haze” reflect different facets of her life during the past year.
“I love Badas Shanren’s ink paintings of peonies. He stood above the crowd and spoke his mind. For years I’ve yearned to complete this ode to peonies, as a tribute to the solitary master of quietude,” Niu said.
As for her peony series, the artist cryptically says, “Your eyes seem to catch everything but your heart can only catch what you feel.”
Known for her use of lines and curves, whether seemingly mingled chaotically or loosely scratched on the canvas, Niu’s paintings evoke mixed feelings from indulgence to sentiment.
She specializes in creating highly personal, often spiritual, narratives which make the viewer feel at home.
“Studio Life” portrays aspects of failure but also hope, creativity and inspiration and projects all these elements into a place of dreams and realizations.
When Niu started the “Haze” series, she admits smoggy weather affected her vision. She said these days made her feel as if her imagination was being invaded with a myth-like omen of doomsday.
“Leave the haze to its own devices. Our days are a constant whirl of confusion. Let’s savor a life away from the chaos,” she said.
Niu eschews big themes such as social problems so she can zoom in on other things and their “inner lives.” She cites an example about stones.
“They are so firm and unyielding,” she said. “But what I want to paint is the breath and tender feelings of this stone at this moment — a story long hidden that now comes to light.”
In the ink series “Scholar Stones,” Niu explores the theme with graceful and fluid strokes that make it seem as though a poem is being whispered in your ear. Traditionally representing meditation or philosophic principles, the scholar stones are also known as a point of contemplation prior to painting or writing. Each painting reveals a poem sometimes entwined within the forceful shape of a stone, yet distinct and readable.
Niu has lived, studied and worked in Japan, South Korea, the United States and China.
Studio Life
Date: Through Jan 18
Venue: ArtCN gallery
Address: 423 Guangfu Road
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