Gallop along to equestrian-themed art show
Print Edition
IN the run-up to the Global Champions Tour show jumping event in Shanghai next month, an art exhibition that draws inspiration from “horse ballet” opened last Friday at the Pudong Shangri-La hotel.
Entitled “Dressage” — the equestrian sport that sees rider and horse work as one, as graceful as dancers — the show displays more than 30 paintings and installations by 20 Shanghai-based artists.
In Xu Zhaobing’s oil canvas series “Song Like,” the horse becomes a spiritual symbol, watching over the world.
“I want to question the loss of heroes in the modern world,” he said.
Heroism is often associated with horses in Chinese tradition.
Xu came up with the series in which giant horses are juxtaposed with vast grasslands or noblewomen depicted in a style often seen in ancient Chinese paintings.
“I try to express that nothing can be left as time rolls on; all the pain, happiness, beauties or life,” he told Shanghai Daily.
Meanwhile, fellow artist Li Zengguo regards the horse as a symbol of primitive nature. By placing horses in modern world settings — such as highways and office buildings — he uses this contrast in his installations to give a warning.
“I hope that through these images and sculptures the audience can find a spiritual balance between real and unreal; primitive and modern; tradition and fashion; simple and complicated; hesitation and sureness,” he said.
“I hope they can get rid of a chaotic state of mind and find the value of life,” added Li.
In addition to equestrian art, the exhibition also features work by established local contemporary artists, including Sun Liang and Du Haijun.
Sun Liang, one of the first Chinese contemporary artists to find international recognition, at the 1993 Venice Biennale, recently moved from oil painting to traditional Chinese painting — his first love from college. “Sakura,” an ink work on paper, shows his fine use of color and techniques of inkwash painting and Chinese calligraphy.
“Five of Coffee Color” oil on canvas work by Du Haijun depicts numerous windows of a residential building. The windows, some covered by curtains, offer a glimpse of the life of the residents, Du said.
The Jiangsu Province native won two gold medals at last year’s Art Salon of the French National Fine Art Society for his work “The Big Glass.”
“What I try to describe is the common features of urban buildings in our society, not any particular landmarks or historical buildings,” he explained. “Windows are the eyes of a city, best reflecting the life and state of minds of urban dwellers.”
Taking inspiration from Chinese myths, Zhu Jingyi presents a bizarre world of fantasy. His oil painting “Waking up in Spring Birds” portrays a half-bird-half-worm creature that comes alive in spring, which “indicates all the possibilities when life originates,” explained the artist.
“Chinese mythology was magnificent before it was disciplined by the Confucius doctrines, now we can only reproduce it with our imagination,” Zhu said.
“I try to describe the fantasy world in my art using modern color systems and traditional art forms, connecting past with present. I hope to save a place for ancient Chinese forms, though the market is fully occupied by Western images.”
Artist Da Ren hopes his installation “High Heel” can create a bridge between the audience and art — enlightening them on the pursuit of the meaning of human existence.
Exhibition curator Yan Yuan said the diversity of the artworks “make the exhibition a visually well-attired gala in the most effective way.”
Yan said this chimes with the theme of dressage, where close attention is paid to the attire of rider and horse — right down to braided manes.
“Art is more than decoration. All the works here tell the artists’ understanding of life,” Yan said at the opening last week.
Organized by Shanghai Daily, along with new media platform Top Tier, this is the fourth exhibition held by the newspaper’s Art Vision program to bring art to high-end hotels.
“Instead of hanging works on the walls of galleries, we present art in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, making it fun and approachable,” said Summer Xia, deputy editor-in-chief of Shanghai Daily.
“We’d like to explore the possibility of presenting art, bringing it into life, supporting local artists, and establishing a platform that connects artists and art lovers.”
Peter Clarke, general manager of Pudong Shangri-La, East Shanghai, welcomed the exhibition to the hotel, which has previously worked with Art Vision.
“It is our pleasure to unveil another chapter in our gallery’s successive run of art exhibitions, building on our previous success with Shanghai Daily.
“And the hotel likes to think of itself as an art gallery, as guests will find exclusive art pieces from the lobby to the restaurants.”
The exhibition runs through May 31 at The Gallery at the Pudong Shangri-La.
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