Art Openings Beijing November 2012

Chambers Fine Art presents ‘Like Moths to a Flame: Recent works by Ye Nan’, a solo exhibition of painting and performance, where Ye Nan (Hangzhou, 1984) combines his creative process with the principle of moths flying into flames, as if to signify some sort of inner connection between his work and the spirit of the moths. He covers the canvas surface with red phosphorous, turning the canvas into a large matchbox striker. Then, he strikes matches on the canvas like magical paintbrushes, creating light and energy in the dark.

‘Chi Ming – JS Tan: Testing Freedom’s Temperature’ at Atkins & Ai Gallery, displays the works by Chi Ming (Yan Tai, 1984) and JS Tan (Hong Kong, 1986) curated by Nikolaus Ellrodt. Both artists, associated with their country’s leading art professors and two of the world’s finest art colleges, CAFA in Beijing and Rhode Island School of Design in USA, explore processes of freedom and liberty through their artistic expression, the power of choice and self-determination. Placing their works side-by-side, it is interesting to witness the sensual quality of Tan’s ink and charcoal works, full of discipline and unambiguity, together with the hot-headed Chi Ming’s oil paintings, captive of his desires and intimate scenarios.

Art Openings Beijing 北京 November 2012, November 16/17, 2012. Video by Diana Coca.