qin feng unfolds experimental ink brush paintings across three sites in venice

venice architecture biennale waiting for qin feng
installation views of paintings in the courtyard of the monastery of san giorgio maggiore in venice, italy
all images by francesco allegretto

a solo exhibition of work by chinese ink artist qin feng unfolds across three locations in venice from now until june 19, 2016. ‘waiting for qin feng’ is installed at the former monastery of san giorgio maggiore — now home to the fondazione giorgio cini; the armenian catholic monastery on san lazzaro island; and venice international university on san servolo island.

presented in collaboration with the fondazione giorgio cini, the exhibition is curated by achille bonito oliva and ambassador umberto vattani, and coincides with the venice architectural biennale 2016. this edition’s theme ‘reporting from the front’ calls on architects to consider their role in improving living conditions — an idea echoed in qin feng’s exhibition, as it promotes cultural interaction and a greater understanding of our contemporary civilization through open dialogue.

the solo exhibition of work unfolds across three locations in venice

qin feng’s experimental ink brush paintings result in emotional and explosive images that seamlessly blend ancient chinese calligraphy with western abstract expressionism. with roots in two parts of the world — having lived and worked in germany and the united states — qin feng’s compositions and dramatic installations prove the continued relevance of traditional brush and ink as mediums, through an artistic language that remains respectful of ancient models.

one of three sites of the exhibition is the former monastery of san giorgio maggiore

the exhibition across venice is expressed as a dialogue between european renaissance and contemporary chinese art, manifested through performance, installation and digital media. these aspects include an on-site painting experience in front of paolo veronese’s ‘the wedding at cana’; an installation of traditional chinese jingdezhen porcelain and other objects at the armenian catholic monastery and venice international university; and a looped video depicting images of ancient hieroglyphic writings that slowly fade to abstract symbols.

the exhibition is presented in collaboration with the fondazione giorgio cini

qin feng hopes that the exhibition becomes a ‘silk road’ for promoting economic and cultural understanding. the northwestern vhinese city of xinjiang — qin feng’s home — was one of the stops on the ancient trail, and his keen awareness of the route’s role in connecting disparate cultures has had a significant influence on his creative work.

the compositions blend ancient chinese calligraphy with western abstract expressionism