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Memories of China

Solo Exhibition by Zhu Yi Yong

Works by Zhu Yi Yong

Vernissage: 12 May 2011,   6:30pm - 8:30pm
Exhibition Continues: 12 May 2011 - 11 June 2011

Schoeni Main Gallery, 21-31 Old Bailey Street, Central

Schoeni Art Gallery is delighted to announce the upcoming exhibition of Zhu Yi Yong’s highly anticipated solo entitled Memories of China, opening on May 12th 2011. This marks the 4th solo show of the prominent professor of the Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts with our gallery since 1999.

Zhu Yi Yong’s new series is inspired by his visits with his students to elementary schools in Sichuan after the earthquake, from which he had a heartfelt encounter with young children in classrooms and playgrounds. Teaching them and playing games with them while witnessing the extremely poor conditions in which they grew up in not only brought back Zhu’s own childhood memories, but also had him reflect on the effects that political and societal developments of China have had on the younger generation.
The Memories of China Series is also an extension of his previous works, including the Memories of the Past Series and the Childhood Memory Series, in which he paints in the style of Realism and renders his subjects – ordinary men, women and children from all walks of life – in monochrome, all except the red strings stretched between their fingers demonstrating a star figure. This series however, focuses on the depiction of children, each with unique facial expressions – some showing curiosity, some carrying a shy smile, but all sharing a hearty innocence that belong only in the world of children. 

As a witness to the Cultural Revolution delirium, the now 54-year-old artist’s works often reflect on the Chinese “collective memory” and challenge one to think again of what the “Red Five Star” symbol means today. With everyone in the country now focusing on nothing but economical developments, the chaotic days of the past are rarely mentioned, partly due to the embarrassment they create for the government, and partly due to a phenomenal change in societal values. As a result, a new era of materialism and money-making frenzy is created, and people enter a state of “artificial forgetfulness”. Amidst this unstoppable force the government calls “development”, Zhu Yi Yong is persistence with his artistic nostalgia, and insists to search in the past for the spirituality that is gradually fading in our world today.

 
 “That so-called ‘past’ in our memories, was an era of red idealism, it is actually not that far away at all from our lives today. The “Red Five Star” is the icon representing red China, and is still inextricably intermingled with our ‘today’,” writes Zhu Yi Yong. “The Memories of China Series is filled with my striving for the spirit of care in humanity. Through the innocent eyes of the children, I want to link yesterday, today and tomorrow, and to find a new way to interpret our past, present, ideology and reality.” – Zhu Yi Yong