Linda Gallery Features Works by Chinese Artists in the Largest Sculpture Exhibition at PIK 2
Sunday, 25 August 2024
**jpnn.com, JAKARTA UTARA** - Large sculptures by renowned artists Cai Zhisong, Ren Zhe, and Jia Wei are on display at Townhall, Indonesia Design District (IDD), PIK 2.
All three are among the Top 10 Sculptors in China.
These rare art pieces can be viewed by the public at the exhibition organized by Linda Gallery. The event is claimed to be the largest sculpture exhibition ever held in Jakarta, and even in Indonesia.
"Don’t miss the opportunity to appreciate and collect their rare and limited works," said Linda Ma, owner of Linda Gallery, during the exhibition which is open to the public until September 1. The art exhibition titled "A Symphony of Art" runs daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and it also offers an opportunity for art collectors to visit this weekend.
On Sunday, August 25, at 5 PM, a special session for art collectors will take place during the "Collectors Night." Linda explained that the works of these sculptors have been collected by significant collectors around the world, including individuals, art galleries, and museums.
The pieces by these three talented artists have also achieved high sale records at global art auction houses like Christie’s and Sotheby’s. "Their artworks are hard to come by as they are rare and made in very limited quantities. Therefore, for art lovers and collectors, it is a must to come here and see the beauty of Cai Zhisong, Ren Zhe, and Jia Wei’s sculptures," she added.
Each artist has their own character and inspiration when creating their sculptures, which typically range from 1 to 2.5 meters in size. For instance, Cai Zhisong is the most iconic and well-known sculptor of contemporary China. He graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts with a degree in Sculpture in 1997. Due to his talent, he received the Taylor Award in 2001 at the Autumn Salon in Paris at the age of 29, marking the highest honor ever won by a Chinese artist in its 103-year history.
In 2012, he was featured as one of the '100 Global Art Leaders' on the cover of "Art Actuel" in France. Another prestigious award came in 2016 when he was named the China Robb Report Artist of the Year 'Best of the Best.'
Linda mentioned that Cai’s sculptures are known for their high-quality materials and the complexity involved in their creation, which is evident in the details of the arowana fish, deer, and peacocks, all crafted from titanium, bronze, and stainless steel. "Just look at this arowana sculpture that is made with such detail and artistic flair that it appears very lifelike," said Linda, pointing to the golden arowana statue.
Cai Zhisong is largely inspired by nature, depicted through animals that are deeply rooted in Chinese culture. Moving on to Ren Zhe, Linda explained that while both artists draw from Chinese culture, Ren Zhe’s work possesses a different charm.
In contemporary sculpture in China, Ren Zhe is well-known for his stainless steel warrior statues, which convey a sense of silence and substantial strength. His works are widely collected by institutions globally and have won prestigious international awards. "As a sculptor, he has consistently maintained his artistic character for nearly 20 years, making owning a Ren Zhe piece a wise investment," Linda noted.
In the exhibition, dominated by gleaming bronze sculptures, a striking red partition stands out in the middle of the display. A series of cute hippos, ranging from the largest to the smallest titled "Ruhua Baby-Matrix Hippo," captivates the attention of visitors, especially younger ones. "This is a work by sculptor Jia Wei. He is not only a sculptor but also a talented painter," Linda said.
She explained that the main character in his works is a little girl named Ruhua. The artworks in the Ruhua series provide insight into Jia Wei’s perspective and are a visual embodiment of his critiques of the surrounding world. The animated character reflects the essence of the artist's childhood and represents the 'inner child' he carries from youth into adulthood.
Jia Wei has overcome difficult times in his life, and through painting and sculpting, he found a pathway to healing from his life’s storms. Due to his extraordinary artistic creations, Jia Wei has garnered 568 awards over the past decade.
The Ruhua series aims to encapsulate Jia Wei’s creative essence through self-healing, breakthroughs, and rebirth during his lowest points. The exhibition also showcases an unusual work where the artist used hundreds of thousands of LEGO blocks to create lifelike sculptures.
Jia Wei has not only succeeded as an artist but has also managed to make his design company the top in China.