On March 16, 2016, “My Left Hand – Zhu Xinjian” Exhibition & the Launch of the First Volume of The Complete Works of Zhu Xinjianlanded at Gauguin Gallery. Organized by Gauguin Gallery, the exhibitionhas invited Lang Shaojun, Liu Xiaochun, Pi Daojian, Chen Danqing, Bian Pingshan and Tang Hui as its art consultants and editorial advisory members. Academically supported by Mr. Chen Danqing, the exhibition has Mr. Jia Fangzhou as its academic chair and editor-in-chief, and it is coordinated by Chen Yan and Dong Huiping.
The exhibition showcases 26 pieces of work by Mr. Zhu Xinjian with his left hand, thus this exhibition was entitled “My Left Hand” and this was the debut of his swan work. Although this exhibition did not present his work those Mr. Zhu Xinjian created at the height of his fame, this series of work retained the last traces of his life, his ink and brush seemed to be more naïve and sincere conveys his persistence in art and his ardent love for life. Moreover, it took a number of experts over two years to carefullyselect nearly two thousand masterpieces and edit them into The Complete Works of Zhu Xinjian, which is a comprehensive summary of his artistic achievements.
With a leisurely piece of Guqin music “Flowing Water”, the prelude of the exhibition as well as the premiere of the new book were thus delicately unveiled. Honored guests participated in the ceremony include: renowned critic Mr. Jia Fangzhou, Mr. Tang Hui, Director of Rong Bao Zhai, Prof. Sun Jingbo from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Prof. Ma Gang from the Academic Committee of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Prof. Wang Chuan, Dean of Developing and Planning Section, the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Dr. Fu Yijing, Vice Dean of Personnel Division, the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Associate Professor Li Fan from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, renowned artists Li Jin, Feng Mengbo, Hong Hao, Xiao Lu, Ma Jianpei, Wang Yougang, Lu Yue, Yu’er who is the wife of Yue Minjun, lifetime friends of Mr. Zhu Xinjian and so on. This event was chaired by Ms. Amelia Gao who serves as the council member of Vancouver Art Gallery as well as Gauguin Gallery. Associate Professor Dong Huiping who served as the exhibition coordinator introduced the origin of this exhibition to the audience and she believed that the opening of this exhibition as well as the synchronous launch of the First Volume of The Complete Works of Zhu Xinjian were significant.
At the opening ceremony, renowned critic Mr. Jia Fangzhou, the editor-in-chief of The Complete Works of Zhu Xinjian addressed that, he praised highly of Mr. Zhu Xinjian’s art and he thought that “Throughout the history of Chinese painting, even until today among all his predecessors and contemporaries, his unique creation in art, is irreplaceable. His frank and straight attitude is without any taboos, his grasp of brushes with effortless artistry makes his art outstanding and unique.” Subsequently, Mr. Tang Hui, Director of Rong Bao Zhai and editorial advisory member of The Complete Works of Zhu Xinjian addressed and he focused on his introduction to the compilation of The Complete Works of Zhu Xinjian. He said that there would be more and more art colleagues get a comprehensive understanding of Mr. Zhu Xinjian’s art as the successive publication of other volumes of The Complete Works of Zhu Xinjian. Zhu Xinjian’s intimate friend, renowned artist Mr. Li Jin also paid tribute to Zhu Xinjian, and he emphasized two points: on one hand, the work Zhu Xinjian created with his left hand was irreplaceable by those he created with his right hand, from which you could comprehend the subtleties of Zhu Xinjian’s art; on the other hand, the figures presented in this exhibition were all male images, which were far from his popular “beauty” theme which he was at his best, and they were all written by his left hand, representing a different Zhu Xinjian for the audience.
The exhibition and the launch of the new book received supports from various media, and the event was reported by over twenty mainstream press including IFENG Art, CCTV, CPPCC Network, CAFA ART INFO, China Culture Daily, China Daily, The Beijing News. The exhibition will remain on view at the Gauguin Gallery in Wangjing Solo till April 15, 2016.
Courtesy of Gauguin Gallery, photo by Quan Jing and Hu Sichen, edited by Sue/CAFA ART INFO
