SOCIAL REALISTIC ART TO ADDRESS CONTEMPORARY URBAN ISSUES

RECURRENCES
Works by Ye Heng Gui

Vernissage: 6:30pm - 8:30pm, 19 June 2008
Exhibition: 20 June - 17 July 2008
Venue: Main Gallery 21-31 Old Bailey Street, Central, Hong Kong

Ye Heng Gui's solo exhibition Recurrences will be proudly presented by Schoeni Art Gallery on 19^th June 2008. In this solo, Ye Heng Gui will be showcasing his latest works from 2006 till present. This exclusive collection consists of artworks solely in black and white along with diptychs; the monochromatic palette convey a strong sense of photographic and filmic connotations as the painter captures specific moments on canvas and dissects time and space onto each frame that makes up the piece. Standing before Ye's work, it seems as if the moment captured on one canvas has been frozen in time while the artist fragments the imagery juxtaposing the evolving transformation onto the next canvas. "Through the use of personal style and unique visual perception to undergo self transformation of reality's context and landscape, thus to experience the special charisma of painting." explains the artist.

Although Ye Heng Gui's paintings skillfully depict specific frozen moments in time, one will inevitably perceive a notion of continuing movement and advancement while the image fuses and fades throughout the divided panels of the painting. Ye classifies his works as 'social realistic' and it is apparent that the artist confronts social and urban issues with his portrayal of chaotic scenes from riots to immigrants struggling to pile into a boat. Ye Heng Gui's oeuvre penetrate its viewer's mind with his direct and documentary style, drawing their attention to day to day problems of our contemporary urban society.

Apart from urban scenes, Ye Heng Gui also employs natural scenery, such as flowers and landscapes, as his motif. In these works he synthesizes each element, sky, sea, flower and branches, into an almost abstract representation conveying a subtle reminiscence of the traditional Chinese ink paintings. At times, the fading flowers and branches may appear to resemble droplets of ink fusing through water or an overexposed item on negative film.

Born in the Anhui province in 1962, Ye Heng Gui attended the Central Fine Arts Academy from 1985-1989. Upon graduation, Ye has taken up teaching roles, first at the Central China Normal University followed by the Hunan Normal University, where he is still lecturing. He has exhibited throughout China and Hong Kong, including his solo exhibition 'Ye Heng Gui's Oil Paintings' at Hong Kong Arts Centre (1996) and Central Fine Arts Academy, Beijing (2000). Schoeni Art Gallery is delighted to host Ye Heng Gui's first solo exhibition with us.

Click on image for an enlarged view.

Recurrences Series No. 11A + B + C Oil on Canvas @200 x 150 cm, 2007

Recurrences Series No. 18 A + B - Civil Conflict with the Police Oil on Canvas @200 x 180 cm, 2007

Recurrences Series No. 14 A + B Oil on Canvas @200 x 180 cm, 2007

Recurrences Series No. 8 Oil on Canvas 150 x 200 cm, 2006

Recurrences Series No. 20 Oil on Canvas 100 x 120 cm, 2008

Recurrences Series No. 21 Oil on Canvas 100 x 120 cm, 2008

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