Press Release

Anthology of Left Hand, Idle Ink on Scraps

Text by Hu Xiangcheng

What is the left hand doing? The right hand knows not.

Is the mind wandering? The pen doesn’t need to care.

A scrap of paper, a casual sketch,

No rules, no blueprints, no polishing.Wherever interest strikes, the ink leaves a trace—

It is simply the mood of the moment.

Seeking neither completeness nor grandeur,

But only a moment of effortless ease.

In this idle joy of the “left hand,”

Mind free of clutter, the pen moves with peace.

This is—

Anthology of left hand, with idle ink on scraps

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About the Artist

Hu Xiangcheng, a pioneer of China contemporary art, has dedicated his life to delving into and pushing the boundaries of art. Born in Shanghai in 1950, Hu graduated from the Shanghai Theater Academy (STA) in 1976. His academic journey continued as he shared his knowledge with students at his former school and Tibet University. In the mid-1980s, Hu set his sights on Japan to further his artistic studies and pursuits. After earning his qualifications in 1991, he embarked on a global odyssey, traversing Africa, Europe, and the Americas to deepen his artistic research. Upon his return to China in 2000, he shifted his focus to rural revitalization efforts in the Jiangnan region. By 2012, he had fully recommitted himself to artmaking. Hu Xiangcheng’s oeuvre is a tapestry woven from the rich threads of his multifaceted experiences, reflecting a profound exploration of diverse cultures and identities. His work is characterized by its enigmatic and evocative imagery, which serves as both the signature and the driving force of his art.

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Also Exhibiting at ShanghART

About the Gallery

ShanghART gallery was initiated in 1996 in Shanghai. It has since grown to become one of China’s most influential art institutions and a vital resource to the development of contemporary art in China with two spaces in 50 Moganshan Road (Main Space and H-Space), a public warehouse space in West of Shanghai (ShanghART Taopu), and a gallery space in Beijing and representing over 40 artists.

Being recognized for its importance ShanghART became the initial gallery from China participating in major international art fairs like Art Basel and Fiac, Paris. ShanghART gallery also enjoys the great respect of being among the 75 most influencial galleries selected in Thames & Hudson’s publication ‘International Art Galleries: Post-war to Post-millennium.’

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Address
261 Caochangdi, Airport Side Road
Chaoyang District
Beijing
China
Opening Hours
Tuesday - Saturday
11am - 6pm

Closed Sunday and Monday
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Beijing 261 Caochangdi, Airport Side Road, Chaoyang District
ShanghART
261 Caochangdi, Airport Side Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

Opening hours
Tuesday - Saturday
11am - 6pm

Closed Sunday and Monday
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