4696/1998

Contemporary Artists from China

March 21 - April 18, 1998
540 West 26th Street

Press Release

Lehmann Maupin is pleased to announce the opening of a group show entitled "4696 / 1998: Contemporary Artists from China" curated by Yvonne Force and Carmen Zita of Yvonne Force, Inc. "4696 / 1998" will include the work of seven artists working in Mainland China as well as two who have been living outside of China for several years. These artists, predominantly in their 30's, reflect the long-term effects of the Cultural Revolution on China's history since Mao. This exhibition looks at the diversified ways of working and concepts in Chinese contemporary art in order to further understand the unique trajectory of China's cultural, social and political past in the second half of the Twentieth Century.

Deeply influenced by traditional Chinese materials and iconography, artists Wei Dong, Wenda Gu, and Yang Jiechang activate and continue tradition with their own unique and contemporary concerns. The Luo Brothers use lacquer techniques and work with imagery collected from Chinese New Year's calendars from the 1960's. Xi Yihui creates sculptural work using porcelain techniques to make objects found in China which are simultaneously everyday and iconic: the little red book of Mao Zedong, noodles with chopsticks, cabbage and piggy banks.

Oil painting was not a traditional medium in Chinese art history. Only in this century did the Acamedies begin to include oil painting in attempt to illustrate China's progress as a modern nation. Liu Wei works primarily with oil paint. Wei received formal academic training and gained national recognition for his work in this medium. His newest work explores feelings of unease and cynicism and depicts disintegrating images of dogs and humans against a fleshy picture plane.

Yvonne Force, Inc. supports international contemporary art through its own collection and lending program. While the collection remains a focus, the company has expanded to include curatorial consulting for exhibitions and collections as well as the development of site specific projects with emerging artists. This exhibition will travel to Art Beatus in Vancouver this Spring.

Exhibition Works

LUO BROTHERS Welcome to the World's Favorite Brands (1-12), 1997 laquer and paint on wood 12 panels, each: 25.5 x 21.75 inches 64.7 x 55.25 cm


LUO BROTHERS Welcome to the World's Favorite Brands (13-24), 1997 laquer and paint on wood 12 panels, each: 25.5 x 21.75 inches 64.7 x 55.25 cm


WENDA GU The Mythos of Lost Dynasties #1, 1998 ink on rice paper 72 x 114 inches 182.8 x 289.5 cm


WENDA GU The Mythos of Lost Dynasties #3, 1998 ink on rice paper 72 x 114 inches 182.8 x 289.5 cm


WEI DONG Courtyard, Courtyard, 1997 ink and colour on rice paper 13.25 x 52 inches 33.5 x 132 cm


WEI DONG Distancing -- Blessing, 1997 ink and colour on rice paper 12 x 16.5 inches 30 x 42 cm


LIU WEI Boy, 1997 oil on canvas 47 x 59 inches 119.4 x 150 cm


LIU WEI Dog, 1997 oil on canvas 47 x 59 inches 119.4 x 259 cm