Leading a New Generation of Chinese Ink Art, Breaking Auction Records

Soka Art Taipei is hosting the solo exhibition, 「Promised Land」, by Chinese contemporary ink artist, Zeng Jianyong, which will be held for four weeks from 9/19-10/18. Zeng Jianyong is held in high regard amongst contemporary ink artists in China. Having studied at the China Central Academy of Fine Arts, Zeng, who is 44 years old, has seen his works enjoying a solid performance at auctions. His works 「Cosplay · The Preacher NO.3」 and 「After Wind」, for example, were both sold for around 5.5 million NTD at Beijing Poly Auction in 2012 and Sotheby's in 2014. It's also worth mentioning that 「Cosplay · The Preacher NO.3」 had an estimated (auction) value of only 2.5 to 3.8 million NTD, but the eventual selling price was a whopping double of that minimum estimate. 「After Wind」, which had an estimated value of 1.12 to 1.52 million NTD, was eventually sold at 5.44 million NTD, which broke records by selling at three times its estimated value.

In China, such accomplishments at such a young age truly reflect the contemporary art market's affirmation of Zeng. He is a notable artist from the new generation, whose works are highly sought-after by many collectors. In his early career, Zeng was known to use the years of childhood as the theme for his ink art. More recently, his works have begun to incorporate religious metaphors. Although 「Promised Land」 is Zeng's first solo exhibition in Taiwan, his works were already well-received by many collectors and art critics when he exhibited at Art Taipei 2014. This solo exhibition, 「Promised Land」, can be viewed as a major milestone and periodical conclusion of Zeng's artistic development in recent years. The themes of his work went from children to religion; from expressing the childhood feelings of being lost and helpless to incorporating Christian vocabulary from his own family background. Be it his ideology or his brushworks, Zeng has created an undeniably new style for contemporary Chinese ink art. This exhibition will exhibit 19 new pieces from 2015, giving attendees the chance to see his more recent style.

From Echo to Chiang Xun to Chyi Chin; Bringing a Depth of Taiwanese Culture

Knowing the strength of the Chinese ink art market, Soka has long since been developing contemporary ink art. With the sincere support of collectors, Soka invited Zeng Jianyong to hold a solo exhibition in Taiwan. Filled with ideas of Taiwan, Zeng was happy to accept the invitation. He talks in detail about Nan Huai Jin, Fu Pei-Jung, Echo, Tsai Chih Chung, Chiang Xun and Chyi Chin, expressing both an interest for Taiwanese pop culture and an admiration of Taiwan's classic literature. Zeng understood Confucius through Nan Huai Jin's 「Speeches on Confucian Analects」; learned how to combine Chinese and western philosophy through Fu Pei Rong's 「Philosophy and Life」; was introduced to Confucius's teachings through Tsai Chih Chung's comics; dreamed of wandering in Echo's footsteps through 「Nostalgia」; and was accompanied by Chyi Chin's songs throughout his formative years. By accepting this invitation to exhibit his works in Taiwan, Zeng is realizing his ideas and preconceptions of Taiwan. He similarly looks forward to making contact with artists in Taiwan.

Changes Throughout the Creative Journey and the Unique Vocabulary of Contemporary Ink Art

Zeng's early works originated largely from the society in which he lived and his own life experience. Series of works from that time,「The Header」, 「Youthful Era」 and 「Cosplay」, mainly take young people and children as the subjects for each painting. The spatial structures have a lonely feel of distance, yet the spirit of the subjects carry an innocent gaze. This kind of expression lets the audience return to the feeling of being lost, helpless and in a deep state loneliness during one's youth. Zeng was able to perfectly fuse the conflict of apathy and innocence.

After this period, Zeng began to explore the surreal. Although both Zeng's grandfather and great-grandfather were pastors, there were no churches at the time, so their own home became a church. Due to these childhood experiences, Zeng developed a sense of religious judgment within pieces like 「Discipline」. The character in the painting originated from the Bible and carries religious overtones. As usual, the eyes of Zeng's subject have a pure look, but the surrounding setting have begun to change. Now appearing, we find an animal with half of his bones exposed like that of an anatomy illustration, exposed blue and red veins together with menacing bulging eyeballs. Zeng strengthened the feeling of loneliness within his painting with stronger layers. He implies the hard path our hearts tread when growing up.

Animals without their bestial qualities, opening a new path in ink art

Aside from his characters, Zeng Jianyong often put animals in his paintings as well.  Common pets like cats and dogs have been personified after having spent so much time accompanying people. Next are animals like birds and butterflies, which are both weak yet free. Observers of nature like jackdaws and eagles have lost their wild side, becoming semi-tamed, aerial animals. There are also donkeys, crocodiles or dragons, which all carry sacred religious metaphors.

Lately, Zeng has been focusing on landscape and characters to embody his own emotions. It can also be said that this is a presentation of the city and the emotions of its inhabitants. Zeng uses the most classical of media, ink art, to present contemporary ideas. In recent years, he has been one of the most admired torchbearers for contemporary ink art in the Chinese art scene. This exhibition includes pieces with animals such as 「The Sun in the Sky Leaning West」 and 「Passed All the Branches in Winter without Stopping」; landscape paintings like 「As the Evening Hours Approach」 and 「Not so Cold in the Morning」; and those with religious metaphors like 「When the Days Become Dreams.」 For those who wish to see Zeng works, this is an unmissable opportunity to catch his debut solo exhibition in Taiwan—「Promised Land.」