2007 <SILENT SYMPHONY>
BO YUN PAINTING SOLO EXHIBITION
Preview/Opening reception: DEC.01, 2007, 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Dec. 02 to Dec.20, 2007 from Monday through Sunday 1100AM till 1800PM
Curator: Fan Xueyi & Catherine Cheng
Venue: XYZ GALLERY, D06-6-1 of 798 Dashanzi Art Center PH: 010 8459 9299
SILENT SYMPHONY
Bo Yun’s art is fascinating. I love to sit peacefully in front of his painting whenever I try to forget about all the troubles in life. His painting reminds me of humankind’s solitude in the vast universe, the unpredictable fortunes and misfortunes in life, as well as the inevitable feeling of loneliness when people explore deep into their hearts.
On the first sight, Bo Yun gives the impression of being optimistic and humorous; deep down, however, he is a mystic. He has a profound and unique understanding of every tangible being, as well as those on a spiritual level; and he believes there are some extraordinary and inconceivable rules governing our world from the background. You might be able to read his thoughts from his paintings by appreciating them carefully, gently, and slowly. His paintings are abstract; but it can be seen as a landscape – landscapes in the eyes of a mystic look exactly like that.
Bo Yun was one of the key founders of the well-known Avant-garde group of artists who initiated the “Stars Exhibition”, which is now widely recognized as the origin of Chinese Contemporary Art. Bo Yun, together with his fellow artists, bravely expressed their true feelings and interpretations of the world, in order to rebel against the then rigid orthodoxy of mainstream art, which merely served the purpose of political propaganda. And they were not only rebelling against the rigid form of art, but also the repression imposed on the people.
Thanks to the breakthrough made by the “Star Exhibition”, Chinese Contemporary Art started to flourish. However, I am beginning to doubt the authenticity and sincerity of some so-called Chinese Contemporary Art. They seem artificial and “planned”, so as to obtain the “rebellion” label through much exaggeration. Sometimes I tend to think that they are simply attempting to please the Western eyes - you may find such examples in 798.
Today, after 28 years, the “Star Group” will have another mission to rebel against another form of “mainstream art” - the so-called Chinese Contemporary Art.
Dear friends, please have a second thought before you decide to believe the motive-driven mass media and some of the critics.
But whom to believe you might ask - your very own eyes and conscience.
Arthur Lee
Freelance writer
