THE WORLD OF MORTALS.DREAMLAND BY TOP ARTIST CHEN YIMING IN SOTHEBY'S HONGB KONG FROM 15 TO 29 APRIL 2015

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SOTHEBY’S HONG KONG GALLERY PRESENTS

THE WORLD OF MORTALS · DREAMLAND

BY CHEN YI MING

A SELLING EXHIBITION

15 – 29 April 2015

Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery, 5/F One Pacific Place, Admiralty

 

One Day in May, 2012, Oil on canvas, 120 x 90 cm

Series of Dreamland (16), 2013, Mixed media on paper, 80 x 100 cm

Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery is delighted to present Chen Yiming: The World of Mortals · Dreamland – A Selling Exhibition, from 15 to 29 April 2015.  Featuring 55 recently completed paintings from two distinct series, the exhibition is the first solo show of this scale by the celebrated Shanghainese artist Chen Yiming in Hong Kong. 

The instantly recognisable series The World of Mortals is reminiscent of Chen Yiming’s early portraiture work for which he is perhaps most well-known.  Often referred to as a ‘visual poet’, Chen’s paintings are elegant, serene and masterfully executed.  With The World of Mortals, the artist returns once more to reveal the personal spaces of his subjects, presenting a glimpse into the romantic realm of old world Shanghai.  Incorporating classical Chinese symbols and elements into realistically depicted portraits and urban scenes, Chen invites the viewers into intimate moments, arousing imagination and inciting a sense of familiarity.   Contemplative and tranquil, yet richly emotive, the series creates a dialogue with past and present. 

In contrast, Chen Yiming departs from his trademark realism into the world of abstraction in his Dreamland series.  Executed with mixed media on paper, Chen re-interprets nostalgic landscape scenes of China with a freer brushstroke and soft, sombre colour palette.   While the series presents an evolution of Chen Yiming’s style, the works maintain his poetic artistry with a more tangible warmth and emotion not previously found. 

Clare Cosman, Gallery Director, Sotheby’s Hong Kong Gallery, said: “Sotheby's Gallery is honoured to present Chen Yiming's first large-scale solo exhibition in Hong Kong.   The World of Mortals · Dreamland illustrates Chen’s versatility as an artist, juxtaposing a variety of techniques, styles and media, as well as a poetic and nostalgic vision of China that resides at the core of all his work.”