Signs of Autumn, Chinese lacquer on wooden board, by Shen Kelong.

The paintings on show are often 1 or 2 meters in height. Shen frees lacquer from being seen as purely an ancilliary material to one of realistic depiction. The lacquer itself forms the subject of Shen's work, as the artist presents its smooth textures and soft, reflective luster as the focus.

"Lacquer is very often difficult to control, given its nature. Sometimes you can't totally predict how it will finally set and present itself on the canvas.

"That is why people doing lacquer work are often called 'dancers moving with chains'. But it's the troublesome side of working with lacquer that actually fascinates me so much."

Shen says painting with lacquer is not a battle where either his hands or the material ultimately vie to take control of the other, but more of a negotiation in which the two sides encounter, progress and compromise until they both find a sense of comfort.

He says it is the same process of finding harmony that humans seek to achieve with nature in Chinese philosophy.

He adds that his works not only bring an imposing visual sense of composure and momentum, but they also recall the closeness of nature and the warmth of human handicraft.

If you go

10 am-6 pm, through Sunday. 798 Art District, 2 Jiuxianqiao Road, Beijing. 010-5978-9709.

 

 

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