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Through the Artists' Eyes

A Tribute to Manfred Schoeni

Works by Ai Xuan, Cao Jing Ping, Chen Li, Chen Wen Bo, Feng Zheng Jie, Guo Jin, Guo Wei, Jiang Guo Fang, Li Gui Jun, Liu Da Hong, Liu Fei, Liu Wei, Liu Ye, Mai Jinyao, Mao Yi Gang, Pan De Hai, Qi Zhi Long, Wang Yi Dong, Weng Dan Xian, Weng Wei, Xia Xiao Wan, Xu Wen Tao, Yang Shao Bin, Yu Chen, Yue Min Jun, Zeng Fan Zhi, Zeng Hao , Zhang Li, Zhang Xiao Gang, Zhao Ying, Zhong Biao, Zhou Jin Hua, Zhu Yi Yong

Vernissage: 2 September 2004,   6:30pm - 8:30pm
Exhibition Continues: 3 September 2004 - 6 October 2004

Main Gallery, 21-31 Old Bailey Street, Central, Hong Kong

In tribute to the extraordinary life of Manfred Schoeni and in commemoration of his immense contributions to the Chinese art world, Schoeni Art Gallery is holding an exhibition in Chinese contemporary art - titled 'Through the Artists' Eyes' with accompanying catalogue to mark this occasion.

Over 40 artists are participating in the exhibition, many of whom have worked with Schoeni Art Gallery for more than a decade. The exhibition provides a rare opportunity to appreciate the full diversity that is modern Chinese art  from the post-modern to the neo-realist, each artist will display a single painting to commemorate Manfred Schoeni. This is the first time that such a vast and eclectic display of contemporary Chinese art is being exhibited under the roof of one gallery, and it marks a truly momentous occasion.

Many of the pieces on display, including paintings by such luminaries as Zhang Lin Hai and Qi Zhi Long, were created especially for the exhibition and will present a valuable insight into their forthcoming work. Other highlights will include works by Ai Xuan, Wang Yi Dong and his wife Li Lu Wei, Li Gui Jun, Zhang Li, Jiang Guo Fang, Shuai Mei and her husband Dai Dai and Liu Da Hong, who is the first artist that Manfred Schoeni ever collaborated with.

The sun may have set on one of Asia's most eminent art dealers, but it is apparent that his daughter Nicole is determined to carry on with her father's work: "It has always been my intention to follow in my father's footsteps and to continue promoting Chinese art on a global scale".

The inspiration for the exhibition came following Nicole's recent trip to Beijing where she visited a number of her father's artists, who showed great support. "This exhibition is a way for the 40-odd artists to show their appreciation and respect for my father. In turn it is also my way of showing them that this is not the end but rather the next chapter of a long and fruitful partnership".

Manfred Schoeni championed contemporary Chinese artists, including the country's Pop Art painters, and is credited for pioneering the 1990s boom in mainland art. Since it's founding in 1992, Schoeni Art Gallery has taken part in over 100 exhibitions worldwide, including Art Miami, Art Chicago, Art Hong Kong, Art Singapore and Art Basel. In 1995, Schoeni Art Gallery also took part in the "CHINA!" museum exhibition, which featured in Bonn, Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna and Singapore and more recently in the "ChinArt" museum show, which featured in cities such as Duisburg, Rome, Budapest, Bydgoszcz in Poland and Palma de Mallorca in Spain.

Manfred Schoeni's passion shone through every aspect of his life. 'Through the Artists' Eyes' aims to both commemorate a colourful life and the coming of age of the Gallery's second generation. "Art", as Manfred often used to say, "is eternal".

Article written by Jessica Au