Moving forward-themed exhibition kicks off in Beijing

Some of the more than 100 artworks on display at the exhibition on the theme of "moving forward with a clear mind" at the Songzhuang Contemporary Art Archive in Beijing. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Two paintings with a dark empty background have caught the attention of visitors to the Songzhuang Contemporary Art Archive in Beijing since this month. They are works by Chinese artist Hang Chunhui, who says he wants to redefine relations between certainties and uncertainties.

"In fact, the frame is a painting, while the central part, which is supposed to be the (content of) painting, is not," Hang explains. "Yet, the central part can present the content that will be caught and reflected by the glass surface, which somehow reverses relations in the work."

Hang's works are among more than 100 artworks on display at an exhibition on the theme of "moving forward with a clear mind" that opened to the public at the Songzhuang Contemporary Art Archive in Beijing.

"Moving forward is happening in the art circle of today," Hang says.

He believes his work offers a new perspective toward traditional painting, which can be counted as a way of moving forward.

The Beijing exhibition aims to showcase the unique connotations and zeitgeist of contemporary art, as well as reflections on the changes of the times.

It will run until Feb 19 (not open during Spring Festival).

"We hope to convey the artistic spirit of 'moving forward', 'paying homage' and 'never giving up' through different presentation methods of contemporary art exhibitions," says Bai Yao, who initiated the exhibition that showcases contemporary artworks by more than 40 artists in China.

They are put into three categories: figurative and expressive, abstract and material-based, and cartoon and trendy.

"Many contemporary artists are forging ahead, and things have not been quite optimistic for many art markets," Bai says.

"We are targeting the current state of this era, and the artists we invited for this exhibition have presented their works in the era after the pandemic," Bai adds.

Many of those works were a result of the artists' contemplation after being exposed to the impact of metaverse and new media, he observes.

Visitors appreciate artworks at the exhibition that will run until Feb 19 (not open during Spring Festival). [Photo provided to China Daily]

Yang Cheng, another Chinese artist, mixed real-life with surreal elements in his acrylic paintings on canvas at the exhibition. Yang says: "They were recent experimental creation based on my reflections of life in contemporary language."

An important theme of his works is how an artist can maintain composure in a time full of rapid changes, and concentrate on exploring the language of art, while actively responding to the world.

Yang points out that arrangement of the multiple elements in his works represents his way of dealing with the complexity of the world.

"I want my work to show that everyone is a processor of the mega fragmented information today, and it includes diverse values, narratives and understandings, all being equal," he says.

Hu Bingquan, curator of the exhibition, says most of the works have conveyed a sense of intrepidity and readiness to face challenges.

"In fact, these two years have not been easy, but there are still many artists around us who are actually very persistent and still creating," Hu says. "Many of them are actually innovating and breaking through, and their works, in my opinion, have improved, compared to their creations two years ago."

The exhibition will continue to focus on the current domestic and international contemporary art environment, as well as the future development trends of the global art market, Bai says.

"We will consistently pay attention to outstanding contemporary artists in China and provide them with more diverse development opportunities."

Considering himself an artist whose technique evolves from traditions, Hang says people should all take a moving-forward attitude.

"Only by moving forward can you jump out of the comfort zone and create works out of the uncertain and unknown, rather than staying put," Hang says.