Opera Gallery presents its latest exhibition “Lyricism: Serendipitous Encounters,” featuring renowned contemporary artists such as Chu Teh Chun, Feng Xiaoming, André Brasilier, Georges Mathieu, and Zao Wou-Ki from Europe and Asia. Over 30 selected artworks will be showcased, allowing audiences to appreciate the masterpieces created by these artists with diverse cultural, historical, and artistic backgrounds.
Despite the different artistic styles and mediums used, the passion and talent exhibited by the artists are unparalleled. This exhibition, in conjunction with the exclusive curation for the Le French May Arts Festival in Hong Kong in May 2023, aims to explore the rich artistic discourse woven by the most renowned and highly anticipated artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
“The exhibition ‘Lyricism and Serendipity’ will focus on artists influenced by French and Asian cultures, including Zao Wou-Ki and Chu Teh Chun. Both Zao and Chu are from China and studied at art academies in the country before embarking on their artistic careers. Under the guidance of modern masters such as Pan Tianshou, Lin Fengmian, and Fang Ganmin, Zao and Chu not only have a solid foundation in traditional Chinese ink painting and calligraphy techniques, but also had their first exposure to Western art trends.”
During the rise of the abstract expressionism movement in Europe, both artists made the bold decision to move to Paris, gradually forming their own unique styles. The stories of these two masters inspired the next generation of Chinese artists to follow in their footsteps, including Feng Xiaoming. Feng, from the perspective of Eastern aesthetics, integrates Western abstract art with Chinese philosophy.
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On the other hand, Western artists such as Georges Mathieu and André Brasilier are also deeply fascinated by Eastern aesthetics. Mathieu briefly stayed in Japan in 1957 and had his first encounter with Eastern calligraphy. He was deeply impressed by cursive calligraphy, and this free and unrestrained style continued to influence his work after he returned to Paris. Former French Minister of Culture André Malraux once revered Mathieu as the “first Western calligrapher.” André Brasilier, on the other hand, was influenced by Japanese ukiyo-e prints and ink painting, which can be seen in the composition and brushstrokes of his oil paintings. Brasilier’s paintings are dreamlike and possess expressionistic characteristics, and have long been favored by collectors from both the West and Asia.
Lyricism. Serendipity
Date: From now until May 31
Time: 10 am to 7 pm (Monday to Saturday); 12 pm to 6 pm on public holidays
Location: Opera Gallery, 9 Queen’s Road Central
Image source and learn more: Opera Gallery
