Jiang Pengyi: Grace

This is Jiang Pengyi’s third solo exhibition in ShanghART Gallery. “Grace”, a large-scale gelatin silver photograph series in black and white, marks the artist’s endeavours in returning to the traditional darkroom as well as to the antique photo developing technology. Another new Polaroid series Trace sized in 8’’×10’’ breaks the limitation of the shooting modes of photography, which is a continuous practice formed under the artist’s conceptualisation of light and imagery.

“Grace” an array of large-scale gelatin works delicately records the ineffable magnificent landscapes that have invariably evolved since the origin of the earth shooting from the Arctic Circle and various countries in the Southern Hemisphere over a span of three years. The artist’s darkroom experimental series Trace captures the instant marks which are contoured by hands on the photosensitive medium. While the audience marvel at the intricate and exquisite tone of Grace, the other abstract series impresses us with its simplicity, lightness and swiftness simultaneously. Throughout years of persistent exploration, self-reflection and self-denial, Jiang’s works are created by experiencing both long period contemplation and inspirational improvisation that present the momentum of his works broader, richer and more in-depth.