"Eastern Abstraction VS Western Figuration--Tan Ping Dialogue with Luciano Castelli", a 10-day exhibition opened on May 21 at the National Art Museum of China, featuring the work of artists Luciano Castelli, from Switzerland, and China's Tan Ping.
The exhibition offers insight into the practice of contemporary Chinese oil painting, which developed largely independently of neo-expressionism, said Huang Mei, from Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany, the curator of the exhibition.
It is for this reason domestic art critics have hailed the arrival of Castelli, a representative of neo-expressionism painting who has been active since the 1980s.
Tan is already established in China and his style of neo-expressionism is quickly winning the praise of Western art critics for its underlying oriental philosophy.
"Castelli and Tan had not met before the exhibition, but their practices resonate with each other, and both are excited about the exhibition. Most importantly, they both have a desire to push their practices forward," said Huang, who has been active in facilitating Sino-German cultural exchanges for decades.
CREATIVE PRACTICES
Castelli, 64, said that he was on board with the exhibition as soon as Huang showed him photos of Tan's works.
Unlike traditional oil painters, Tan, 55, vice president of the Chinese National Academy of Arts, has turned his back on his easel. Instead, he lays his canvas horizontally and looks down when painting. He also refuses to sign his works as, he believes, even a tiny mark would intrude on the composition and could distract the viewer.
"There is no up and down, left or right in my paintings. Nor is there a right way to appreciate them. Whatever direction the viewer prefers is the right way," said Tan.
When Huang showed Tan pictures of Castelli's paintings, Tan said he immediately recognized the painter.
"I have difficulty remembering foreign names, but his works were familiar. When I was studying in Berlin, neo-expressionism was such a hit," he said.
Installed on the back wall of the exhibition hall, Castelli's six revolving paintings, which were especially commissioned for this exhibition, juxtapose Tan's monochromatic static works on cubes on the ground.
"In this space, Castelli displays infinite freedom and movement while Tan shows calmness and restraint," said Huang.
