Under Heaven -- 2018042

Eternity-Six Dynasties Period Painted Earthenware Dragon, Sleeping Muse

New

The paintings from Xu’s ongoing Under Heaven series are a voluptuary dream. He applies a thick layer of oil paint to a canvas and then forms delicate petals and flowers using a cake decorator. The resulting impasto creates a striking relief, tempting the viewer to touch or even taste. The expansive title, 'Under Heaven,' is a literal translation of a Chinese word meaning “the whole world.” The sumptuous surfaces as well as the allusive title make the works an intense sensual experience.

Xu Zhen’s limited edition sculpture Eternity-Six Dynasties Period Painted Earthenware Dragon, Sleeping Muse," is from the artist’s most representative series of works. 'Eternity' combines both Western and Eastern classical sculpture. The ancient earthenware dragon and the elegant serene muse heads are gathered in a noble and simple composition in this contemporary cultural context.

New depicts Guan Yin, among the most venerated bodhisattvas in the Chinese Buddhist pantheon. This hand-painted bronze edition provides a contemporary interpretation of a classical figure and a plea for universal compassion in all colors, creeds, and genders. XU ZHEN® is an artist who is keenly interested in hybridizing East with West, forging bonds through visual culture while also questioning the easy commodification of icons.

XU ZHEN®

XU ZHEN®

  • jamescohan.com/artists/xu-zhen-r

XU ZHEN® is a conceptual artist whose work often takes the form of provocative sculptures, installations and interventions that confront sociopolitical taboos in contemporary China and freely manipulate western expectations of Chinese art and commerce. In addition to sculpture, his body of work encompasses various mediums such as photography, installation, video, painting and performance. The “body” is a recurring symbol in his work which he uses to challenge authority as well as reflect the experience of the artist and the social-political situation in China. Interested in how cultural and financial value circulates around the world, XU ZHEN® combines elements from many cultures, examining the effects of globalization, often to humorous or unsettling effect.

In 2009 XU ZHEN® subsumed his individual artistic identity and transformed into MadeIn – an “art creation company.” Subsequently in 2013, MadeIn launched a brand – Xu Zhen, redundantly making Xu a product of his own corporation.

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Alice Wu