Cao Hankai’s ceramic dolls have ethereal and quirky faces, like little elves that appear in mythological stories, making them unforgettable. Recently, the artist collaborated with “Hong Kong Wood Warehouse” to hold a new exhibition at Art Next Gallery, showcasing over twenty clay, bronze, and other sculptures by Cao Hankai, complemented by several original wood pieces from “Hong Kong Wood Warehouse,” creating a fragrant display space filled with trees.
Cao Hankai was born in Malaysia, majored in pure fine arts, and settled in Hong Kong in 2004. He grew up in the forest since childhood, interacting with animals day and night, believing that animals understand human nature better. Through his works combining humans and animals, he explores the various aspects of life observed, leaving a deep impression.
The works exhibited this time include a series of works combining frogs and human hands, including “Play”, “Greed”, “Dependence”, “Love”, “Utopia”, etc., and the animal-shaped works appear lively and cute. The facial expressions of the Little Zen Master series are cute and innocent, showing a kind of quiet and harmonious beauty.
Other animal-shaped works, such as “Performer,” “Baby Cat,” “Clown and Dog,” and “Deer,” showcase the creator’s rich imagination. These little elves play in the forest, walk gracefully, or carefully greet the viewers, creating a very interesting scene.
In this exhibition, “Hong Kong Wood Warehouse” also brings a variety of original wood works, all created using locally sourced tree wood such as camphor wood, lychee wood, southern pine, pine, and other original materials, with interesting shapes. In addition, there are wooden tabletops that grow into different shapes based on their own genes, environment, and age, as well as fresh and natural wooden heads of varying heights and sizes, complementing Cao Hankai’s works, creating a creative space full of the fragrance of wood.
This exhibition is one of the larger-scale exhibitions by the Tsao family in recent years, coupled with the gallery’s carefully arranged wooden furnishings, such a exquisite display space is definitely worth a visit!
“Civil Empathy – Cao Hankai x Hong Kong Wood Warehouse”
Date: From now until August 19
Time: 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Location: New Art Wave Gallery, 2/F, Room 201, Tung Chi Building, 86-90 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong
Image source and learn more: AN Gallery
