TU HONGTAO, QI LAN

Their ‘uninhibitedness’ is not only the self-willedness of cultural character, but also an introspective and superior attitude; it is also the waywardness of artistic language and aesthetic taste, the experiments and excessive demands of written language in painting, as well as the reflection on traditional vocabulary and the disintegration and reconstruction of its confrontation. These make the two artists’ paintings increasingly show distinct artistic characteristics and complex humanistic connotations.

Both Qi Lan and Tu Hongtao have a unique approach to the understanding as well as the tempering of language in painting. In their works, there are not only the live feelings and sensitive expressions of the current state of life, but also the reflection of history as well as their search for a language that contains defense and openness. Their paintings not only have some kind of ancient literati poetry, but also a prudent analysis of modern rationality; they contain both the deconstruction and the subversion of the existing painting order with its customary language, as well as the pursuit of lofty spiritual order. It is longing to the sensitive wilfulness or uninhibitedness of the past and is more eager to refine the cultural meaning behind it. Splitting and integration, destruction and construction, self-willedness and restraint, this multi-faceted confrontational cultural quality is opposite and united at the same time, which may be the common vision of the two in the exploration of contemporary painting.

The structure of this exhibition is based on the academic literature and highlights their process of exploring the paintings. Therefore, there are very few large-scale works on display, but there are many manuscripts, notes, and incomplete drawing materials that collected from their process of creation. It absolutely provides an opportunity to learn more about their creative steps and ideas. Wish there will be more specific dialogues and exchanges emerging from viewers and artists through this exhibition.