TAKING CHINESE CHARACTERS AS A STARTING POINT, HOW CAN CALLIGRAPHY ILLUSTRATE UNIVERSALITY?
WEI Ligang: An Atypical Case of Chinese Contemporary Art
Investigating issues of modernity and contemporaneity in Asian art, WEI Ligang: Universality is the first retrospective exhibition of a contemporary artist to be presented by ZHI ART MUSEUM since ‘Fantasy’ Luis Chan 1905-1995: A Retrospective Exhibition in 2018. Universality presents fifty-eight outstanding works in different mediums, including calligraphy, ink painting, and sculpture, that represent artist Wei’s illustrious career spanning over 30 years. The exhibition serves as a starting point for an exploration of great academic significance. WEI Ligang’s work will become a powerful resource, inspiring various forms of contemporary expression nurtured by the rich, sophisticated soil of traditional Chinese culture.
We aim to fully present the tough,uncertain expedition that artists embark on,the glorious accomplishments, hidden miracles and obvious mistakes. We hope that the critical and heuristic approach we adopt for the exhibition can serve as a positive response to the confusion, challenges and setbacks that contemporary artists may encounter in their contemporary study of traditional aesthetic, thus creating insightful discussion and dialogue.
WEI Ligang is undoubtedly complicated and controversial enough to present a symphony of “The East and the Contemporary” composed of clashing ideas and lively debate.
Valerie Wang, Conghui,
Director of ZHI ART MUSEUM
