In the hustle and bustle of daily life, how long has it been since you quietly felt yourself and the world?
“Quiet” has always been the emotion that Chinese artist Zhang Kai, born in the 1980s, wants to express, and it is also the ideal state in his eyes for modern people in their fast-paced lives. Therefore, Zhang Kai will hold an exhibition in Hong Kong on this theme, showcasing 15 works spanning from 2012 to 2024, presenting “a quiet story” in his mind.
In Zhang Kai’s works, cats and rabbits with personification and spirituality as the main characters, presenting a quiet, mysterious, and poetic atmosphere.
He said that compared to the past, modern people have a richer material life, but it has not relieved their anxiety. Because everything around is spinning rapidly, being in the midst of it intensifies the generation of anxiety, bringing mental fatigue and unease to people. He himself is the same, but whenever he sits in the studio to create, picks up the brush to face the canvas, he can enter an ideal “quiet” state, feeling the comfort brought by art.
The new works exhibited in this “Quiet Stories” exhibition are different from before, with the quiet pink light flowing quietly in the serene room, as well as spaces resembling churches and half-drawn curtains in the studio. There are also many elements of flowers in the exhibited works.
Flowers, one of the favorite subjects of the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century. Jan van Huysum’s floral still lifes record flowers blooming at different times, capturing the beautiful but fleeting moments with a sense of design idealism. As he approaches middle age, he suddenly becomes sensitive to time, starts to enjoy painting flowers, and wants to tell himself and everyone who comes to the “Quiet Stories” solo exhibition: cherish the beauty of life as it blooms; also wants to remind himself that although life is colorful and splendid, it will eventually fade away with the passage of time. Therefore, in this brief yet long journey, we must learn to cherish every moment, feel the beauty and warmth of life with our hearts, let us cherish as we go, and try to leave no regrets.
Further Reading:
- Behind the Actress, Stories About Emma Stone!
- Retrospect on the creative career of the legendary manga artist Akira Toriyama (とりやまあきら / Toriyama Akira)
- Hong Kong illustrator Pen So uses a pen and ink to transform the power of music into captivating visuals
When looking at his works, one must first focus on the small animals he depicts, such as cats and rabbits. These animals also exude a unique sense of elegance and mystery, representing not only the artist’s emotional expression but also symbolizing his changes and personal growth in life.
Through the “Quiet Stories” exhibition, he wants to bring the public back to the attention of the margins, which is also an interesting choice.
I hope coming here can also give you a moment of peace.
| About the artist Zhang Kai |
Born in Shanxi, China in 1985, graduated from Shanxi Normal University College of Fine Arts in 2007, now lives and works in Beijing.
Starting from a contemporary perspective on the analysis and personal aesthetic tendencies of art history, the artist showcases his thoughts on time, spirit, representation, and essence through the fusion and reconstruction of classical and contemporary elements.
| Poly Auction Hong Kong and Triumph Gallery present: Zhang Kai’s first solo exhibition in Hong Kong – “Quiet Stories” |
Date: March 25 to April 2
Location: Poly Hong Kong Art Space (7th Floor, Phase 1, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong)
