Xu Jingwen and Angel Hui: Seeking Inner Peace

Karin Weber Gallery presents Seeking Inner Peace: Works in Ink by Xu Jingwen and Angel Hui, a show that introduces the work of two young Chinese artists returning to ancient practices and subject matter which capture an age old spirituality many find absent from today’s world.

Traditional Chinese culture values the human spirit and a virtuous life lived true to one’s heart, reflecting ancient philosophies such as Confucianism and Daoism. Artistic expressions of these beliefs often find their voice through the equally ancient, calligraphy-based medium of ink painting.

Xu Jingwen (b. 1982), depicts the spiritual side of humankind in his Plain Landscape series, closely following in the footsteps of the most treasured masters of Chinese landscape painting. For Xu nature, paradoxically, becomes a metaphor for the spirit of the artist and all mankind. His small, focused landscapes — depicting trees, rocks, clouds and sky – are purposely devoid of human presence. Xu’s intention, by eschewing a large-scale format, is to immerse the viewer in the peaceful settings he creates.

Angel Hui (b. 1990), dedicates her practice to the examination of traditional Chinese motifs, symbols and patterns found in objects and decorations. By coupling age-old concepts with the unique influences of the present, such as ready-made and often disposable objects, Hui suggests an innovative way of celebrating meaningful cultural traditions.