Poly Auction(Hong Kong)Limited(Poly HK), together with Soka Art Center, will be holding “Aspiration – Hong Ling Solo Exhibition” by renowned artist Hong Ling, at Poly(Hong Kong)Gallery during 15-22 May, featuring 14 artworks by the artist, introducing the traditional concept of “scene” in contemporary Chinese art.

Hong Ling has spent over 20years in Mount Huang, and in his works, we can see the fusion between his rich inner mind and the mysteries of the natural landscape. “First, establish its greatness.” Hong Ling has consciously brought the “spirit” of Shanshui painting into landscape painting. When we look at Hong Ling’s works, we see on one hand what appear to be traditional colored shanshui painting, but they are also richer than traditional art, with the turquoise, sage green, and dark dreen of the image also incorporating the colors of oil painting and interacting with the natural scenery to be formed. On the other hand, his works has enriched the colors of western oil painting, because it looks more natural, infusing his colors with a sense of time, making them more natural and rhythmic.

Hong Ling’s works retain the trace images of the natural world form that state of “semblance and non-semblance” found in Chinese art. Hollow traces of natural semblance remain, continuously enriched with color, so that subtle shifts in color take on the beauty of breath. Sometimes they are also obscured by large swaths of qi, which come together with drips of paint to create an overall vaporous atmosphere. When the painting is covered in snowflakes, the overall work becomes shrouded in a cold air, dense and solemn.

Mr. Alex Chang, Managing Director of Poly HK, said “Established since 2012, Poly Gallery has been dedicated in hosting a variety of exhibitions and cultural events. It has been our pleasure to cooperate with galleries and organizations around the world, establishing as a leading art platform in Asia.”

(1)   “Aspiration – Hong Ling Solo Exhibition” and Hong Ling

Hong Ling is currently the Vice professor of the Oli Painting Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts and a member of China Artists Association. He graduated from the Art Department of Beijing Normal University in 1979, and completed the graduate program at the Oil Painting Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1987.

Hong Ling’s works is a link between past and future – he breaks away from the traditional concept of “scene” to start from painting realistically through abstract rendition to imagery and spiritual representation. Under his artistic brush, traditional Chinese painting and oil painting are harmonized across culture, while the fullness of oil painting is blended with the spirit and flow valued in Chinese painting to create a scene of utter purity and vigor. A contextual shift between East and West requires extraordinary courage and sensibility in addition to a solid cultural and artistic foundation; the courage to shake off the constraint of Western techniques is equally important as the effort to explore deep into the fundamental spirit of traditional Eastern culture. By reproducing the spirit of Chinese landscape with the use of oil paints as medium, Hong established a connection between East and West, tradition and innovation. Apart from being a realization of Hong’s artistic aspiration and pursuit of self-recognition, it is also a milestone for contemporary Chinese art as Chinese artist made a successful attempt to modernize traditional spirit by introducing it to today’s society.

Hong Ling’s works has been exhibiting around the world, such as Hong Kong, Belgium, France, Singapore, Italy, and Korea, as well as important exhibitions held in Taiwan, Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. He had aiso held joint exhibition with Zao Wou-ki and Zhu The-Chun.

(2)   About Xia Kejun

Xia Kejun was born in 1969. He is a philosopher and an art critic. He graduated from Wuhan University in 2001 with a Ph.D., and studied in Uni Freiburg in Germany and Universit’e de Strasbourg in Francs during 2003-2006. He started teaching at School of Liberal Arts, Renmin University of China since 2007. Xia had published about 10 books including “Demonstrated and Senses,” “ Virtually Thin: Duchap and Zhuangzi” “Virtually White: No Dimensions and Reverse Remodelling,” and ”Simple Philosophy.” Through the concept of “infra-Mince” and between ancient and modern Chinese and Western culture, Xia illustrated Chinese philosophy in a new perspective.

(3)   About Poly Gallery

Poly Auction develops in tangent with Poly Cultural Museum to promote museum worthy collections to its clients. Poly Gallery, which follows the same philosophy, is pioneering the Asian art market in its effort to bring new ideas and visions to art collectors from around the world. With over 2,500 square feet, the spacious and sunlit Poly Gallery will host a variety of exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year, such as private auctions, previews and lectures, to encourage interactions between our team of specialists and clients. This will serve as a continuation of Poly Auction Hong Kong’s business beyond the traditional biannual auctions. We believe this will also create an open art platform for art collectors to exchange cultural ideas and enjoy outstanding works of art year round. As the leading auction house in Mainland China, Poly Auction Hong Kong and Poly Gallery are proud to establish their permanent presence in Hong Kong. Together with our team, we are ready to lead you through a remarkable journey of art.

(4)   About Poly Auction (Hong Kong) Limited

Poly Auction Hong Kong Limited, established in autumn 2012, is a young but remarkable auctioneer in Hong Kong. Poly Auction Hong Kong has always been dedicated to promoting Chinese art. Compared with its lnaugural Autumn Sales in 2012, the total sale of 2013 Autumn Auctions fetched approximately HK＄989 million(US＄127 million ), increased by nearly 50％.

The success of Chinese Art Important Sale in 2013 Autumn Auctions particularly demonstrates its comparative advantages in promoting Chinese culture and its steadfast dedication to excellence.

Poly Auction Hong Kong comprises of seven departments: Chinese ＆ Asian Modern and Contemporary Art, Chinese Contemporary Ink Paintings, Five Modern Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy, Classical Chinese Painting and Calligraphy, Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, and Jewels and Watches, Chinese and Western Wine. We select only genuine, exquisite and rare artwork. We are entering the international art market with the aim to provide professional consultation, exceptional collections and the highest quality service.

As Asia emerges in the global art market, Poly Auction Hong Kong will continue to promote its auction business locally and internationally. By enhancing the use of Poly Gallery, offering superior private sale and auction services, and organizing top-notch touring exhibitions, Poly Hong Kong will spare no spare no effort to shape a bright future for the Asian art market.

(5)   About Soka Art Center

Soka Art Center was founded in 1992 in Tainan. It manages comprehensively from Chinese art to Asian contemporary art. In 2001, Soka Art Center Beijing was established. Director Hsiao Fuyuan became the very first Mainland gallery owner from Taiwan which accounts for the initiation of Taiwan gallery enterprise in China. In the following nineteen years, Hsiao led Soka to integrate tremendous research, analysis and many collection of work by the first generation Mainland Chinese artists such as Li Tiefu, Lin Fengmian, Yan Wenliang, Xu Beihong. He also engaged in discovering and promoting young artist with great talents. In 2003, Soka pioneered in contemporary art field to promote the emerging generation of outstanding Chinese artists. Soka Contemporary Space Beijing succeeded in its debut in 2005 internationally through its close coordination with curators worldwide and outstanding Chinese contemporary artists. In 2007, Soka Art Center Taipei was established. It is dedicated to promote Asian contemporary art. In 2010, Soka Art Center Beijing moved to the 798 Art District, the space has thousand square meters of Bauhaus classic building art galleries in Asia for Chinese modern and contemporary ar