Past Exhibition 01.12.2021 – 22.03.2022
« Zao Wou-Ki: Eternal return to China » at the Villepin Gallery in Hong Kong (by appointment only)
Almost a year after the opening exhibition of the gallery founded by Arthur and Dominique de Villepin in Hong Kong, Zao Wou-Ki is once again into the limelight with an exhibition exploring the relationship existing between the artist and China, his country of origin.
Zao Wou-Ki. Le Temple des Han, 2005. Courtesy Villepin Gallery
Starting with a corpus of mostly never seen before works on paper, this exhibition aims at lifting the veil on a lesser known aspect of Zao Wou-Ki’s work. From figurative portraits and landscapes to abstract inks, the exhibition retraces the artistic route followed by the artist by questioning the importance of his Chinese heritage in his works.
Zao Wou-Ki. Works from the years 1940-1950. Courtesy Villepin Gallery
Revealing the importance of the sign, of the gesture and then of the void in Zao Wou-Ki’s work, the Villepin Gallery demonstrates by this collection of works the artist’s ability to unite, with his brush, two traditions although seemingly opposed. It also highlights the trips back and forth of the artist towards the tradition of his native country, a never ending source of inspiration, he made his own by confronting it with Western, European and American painting.
Zao Wou-Ki. India inks, 2006 and 2007. Courtesy Villepin Gallery
Extensively redesigned for the occasion, the Villepin Gallery aims through this exhibition to offer a new understanding of Zao Wou-Ki’s work in his quest of harmony between two worlds. This search which, according to the collectors, meets with a most contemporary concern.
Zao Wou-Ki. 12.12.70 and watercolors 2009 and 2007. Courtesy Villepin Gallery
Video of the exhibition at the Villepin Gallery. Reserved rights – Villepin Gallery
Zao Wou-Ki. The Eternal Return to China – A Conversation with Mr. Dominique de Villepin. Reserved rights – Villepin Gallery
Zao Wou-Ki. The Eternal Return to China – A Conversation with Mr. Yann Hendgen, art Director of the Zao Wou-Ki Foundation. Reserved rights – Villepin Gallery
The catalogue of the exhibition will be published at the beginning of next spring with a lengthy text by Dominique de Villepin.