Modern Ink, an inaugural art exhibition will see contemporary ink works by Xu Hua Xin, Huang Hong Tao, Shen Zi Yao and Xie Chong – artists who are reshaping the rules of classical ink painting traditions, sometimes subtly and often dramatically.
Ink painting has been a central focus of Chinese literati culture for close to two millennium. It is a tradition based on the interpretation and reinterpretation of previous generations of works by great masters. The transference of accumulated knowledge and philosophy through the centuries was interrupted only during the massive social upheaval of the 20th century. The emphasis on evolution rather than revolution in ink art remains a central tenet for many Chinese ink painters today. Since the 1990s, we have observed an increasingly urgent question as to what contemporary art means to Chinese ink artists. We see part of the answer in a small but increasingly vocal group of artists who seek to preserve the cultural richness and poetry that characterizes Chinese ink, while seeking new perspectives, subjects and modes of expressions.
Building upon the traditions of literati painting and its conventions, these 4 artists contend with the paradoxical position between constancy and change. They bring a novel and fresh perspective through innovative techniques and a contemporary vision, injecting vitality and vibrancy to Chinese ink works in the global dialogue on contemporary art.