The Garden of Zhuang Hong Yi

Opera Gallery is proud to present the very first solo exhibition of Chinese artist Zhuang Hong Yi in Dubai and the final show of 2018. Zhuang can best be described as a Chinese, contemporary artist who has impressed audiences in different countries by his unique style in his many pieces of modern art.

Contemporary artists have constantly been pushing the boundaries in the medium they use, with a strong emphasis on visual perception, shape and color shifting. Whereby the use of modern technologies has broadened the possibilities, Zhuang has been able to achieve an incredible visual universe, combining the simplest of materials.

Zhuang is known for his color-changing acrylic paintings and has mastered the three-dimensional world of flowers, drawing inspiration from three of nature’s most beautiful symbols; roses, irises and tulip petals. He was born and raised in Sichuan, China and now works between his studios in Beijing and Rotterdam. His bold, sculptural paintings have been shown in over 30 exhibitions and major group shows such as  the Found Museum, Beijing, China; the Groninger Museum, The Netherlands; and in Venice, Italy in conjunction with the 55th Venice Biennale of 2013. 

Sylvain Gaillard, Director of Opera Gallery Dubai says, “His works represent beauty, sophistication and a high level of perfection with a clear presence of Chinese influence represented in his use of colors, themes, shapes and choice of materials. Visitors will surely notice the stark contrast between the urban setting of the gallery in the DIFC, and the burst of colors provided by Zhuang’s paintings.”

The compositions in this series of works are powerful demonstration of a daring, yet surprising, mix of bright colors, allowing the wild outdoors to enter the gallery domain and shift the exhibition space into one mesmerizing celebration of life.

Zhuang’s works offer an experience that is interactive and makes for a very inviting exhibition where the viewer plays an active part in the shifting process of colors. To explain this further, the artist will be in attendance during the Opening Reception of the exhibition at Opera Gallery Dubai.

Inspired by Chinese folk art, its materials and how they are used, Zhuang works with rice paper providing him with an inexhaustible source of inspiration from which he gathers new ideas. Sharing his time between east and west, he often uses references to western movements such as impressionism forming a bridge between his birth place in China to his current life in the Netherlands.

Dubai being at the crossroad of east and west, geographically and culturally,  Opera Gallery Dubai felt that Zhuang’s artworks had a real story to tell in the region.

We welcome you to enjoy the world of flowers in the garden of Zhuang Hong Yi. The exhibition opening will be held in the presence of the artist on Wednesday, 5th December at 8pm. The exhibition will then run until the 17th December, 2018.

Claire Blumenthal

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