As 2022 draws to a close, Su Xiaobai's blue palette comes to mind amidst the turmoil of the world. Out of several conversations with the artist emerged an idea of organising a blue monochrome exhibition at Tina Keng Gallery, titled Su Xiaobai: Blue. It is not because Su prefers these blue representations of varying shades and sizes, but because he thought it would be interesting to observe a single colour at a time.
The cover of_Ulysses_, a novel by modernist author James Joyce published in 1922, is a light shade of blue. This first edition of Ulysses enthralled Su and his old friend when they chanced upon it in Paris. How to re-create this shade of blue has since haunted Su's practice. But how to paint a blue that carries the warmth of a body remains elusive.
These works of lacquer — each a nuanced tint of blue — coalesce into a palimpsest of layered poetry and chiseled time.
This exhibition has no official opening, but is accompanied by 'What the Loved Ones See,' a text penned by Su's family members, allowing the viewer a glimpse of the albeit reclusive artist. The exhibition opens on December 17, 2022, and closes on February 18, 2023.
Press release courtesy Tina Keng Gallery.
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