Drawing inspiration from their personal perceptions of beauty, these three diverse styles alternately reveal and conceal the ways in which each artist responds to their muse to create dynamic images of the feminine form. Enigmatic interpretations of the feminine muse are explored in a variety of mediums by artists Wang Xiao Hui, Qian Gang and Yin ZhiXin at Elisabeth de Brabant Art Center. Including photography, painting and sculpture, this exhibition explores three distinct artists’ individual dialogue of beauty in all its obscurities.

Wang Xiao Hui translates her own personal experience of a traumatic event that altered her life, of which she finally emerged out of the chrysalis, transformed. The fluid movement of the self-extrication is at once beautiful and tortured. Qian Gang’s intimate and poetic paintings explore the dynamics of attraction. At first shadow and line create a static image- on closer observation all elements interact to illustrate the mysterious and sensual interaction between masculine and feminine. Yin ZhiXin challenges preconceived ideas of the feminine and masculine form through his playful and ndrogynous sculptures. Voluptuous and serene, the figures’ graceful waltz contradicts and creates a delightful movement.

Artists' Statement

WANG XIAO HUI

For me, life is art and art is life. Our life and art are inseparable. My creativity is closely related and entwined with my life experiences; locked in a constant dialogue- they are inseparable. The "Self- Extrication" photographic series created in 1992, are images that evolved from a short film I made titled “Broken Moon” These pictures illustrate one of the most extreme experiences in my life; a time of personal and physical transformation.

Though I created the film, I was also fascinated with the still images that I captured from the fluid dance. In this way, I never contain myself to one art medium. I explore all art forms; I have made short films, photography, written novels and created video and installation art. There are no boundaries in my life or my art.

QIAN GANG

“Colors can be used as means of manifestation of emotions and feelings. Every kind of color, including white and black, are different elements of life situations. According to different emotions, I will choose different colors to create beautiful pictures with light and shadow.”

YIN ZHIXIN

I was born in the 1970s and always felt I had a strange sense of humor. I like putting this witty humor to my works, for me, it seems to imply a sense of breaking bondage and showing rebellion. I am often asked, "Why do you make them so fat?" "Why are their mouths and eyes closed?" I explain that the dancers themselves are intoxicated, they revel in the beauty of dancing, listening and moving to music; listening to nature breathing in to all things. My sclputures experience the hustle and bustle of city life, the joyfulness and sadness of the world. Everything is so natural, but while they enjoy everything they do not want to tell people of their own difficulties. Instead of speaking out they choose silence.

About the Artists

WANG XIAO HUI

Xiao Hui Wang is internationally acclaimed artist working in a variety of mediums, including photography, sculpture and video. As an author, she is known for her acclaimed autobiography ‘My Visual Diary’. Her works have been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide and are collected by private and public institutions alike.

Xiao Hui Wang’s photographic works are at once intimate, sensorial, and complex. The artist, who herself endured a radical life-changing accident, brings to her works the essence of the soul, life and death, and the definition of the feminine. She uses her own experiences to feed a continuing process of paradox, of social perception, inner and outer beauty. Her life and work are a journey, which have merited her to be considered by many the Frida Kahlo of China.

QIAN GANG

Qian Gang was born in Shanghai in 1958. In 1976, the artist was sent to the countryside to be re-educated for the next 5 years of his life. Qian Gang’s father, Qian Da Xing, is renowned for his advertisements and works created during the Cultural Revolution. Influenced by both his forced move out of the city as well as his father’s skill as a painter, Qian Gang became a self-taught artist, following the intuition of his personal experiences to inform his choice of subject matter. In 1981, Qian Gang entered the Shanghai Light Industry Institute. Two years later, he moved to the United States to attend the San Francisco Art Academy, after which he moved to New York. In 2004, Qian Gang returned to China and has resided in Shanghai since.

His works have been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the world, including the Edward Hopper Museum, Chas Gallery and Caccoala Gallery located in the United States. In addition he has also exhibited works at Contrasts Gallery (Shanghai) Shanghai MoCA, Singapore Art Museum and the National Gallery of Indonesia.

YINZHIXIN

Yin Zhi Xin is a sculptor working in a variety of materials including bronze, clay, resin and fiberglass. Born in 1977 in Shen yang, he graduated from the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in Hangzhou with a masters of Fine Arts, Yin Zhi Xin was then granted a scholarship at the Tbilisi National Academy of Fine Arts in the country of Georgia, where he further developed his unique and humorous sculptural style.

The graceful poise of ballerinas and practitioners of yoga, whose strength and balance appeared to defy gravity, captivated Yin Zhi Xin. Using this as inspiration as well his witty sense of humor Yin Zhi Xin creates a wonderful new paradox of the physical form; challenging preconceived ideas of beauty through beautiful sculptures.

His works have been exhibited, internationally In Germany, Korea and Thailand and he has been featured in many prominent exhibitions and museums throughout China.

About the Exhibition

Venue: Elisabeth de Brabant Art Center

Artists: Xiao Hui WANG, QIAN Gang, YIN Zhixin

Date: 1 Mar - 15 Apr 2012

Courtesy of the artists and Elisabeth de Brabant Art Center, for further information please contact Elisabeth de Brabant Art Center