Bian Kai's Mythological Paintings Bridge Ancient Chinese Traditions and Contemporary Art at INKstudio Beijing
Bian Kai, a Chinese visual artist born in 1981 in Liaoning, is showcasing a significant retrospective at INKstudio in Beijing, titled 'Bian Kai: Conjuring Realities,' which will be open until August 17. This exhibition delves into classical Chinese mythology alongside Buddhist and Taoist themes, utilizing contemporary visual expressions and referencing works such as the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas' and the Tang Dynasty Buddhist texts. Bian's artwork merges techniques from temple murals and imperial court painting, transforming narratives into a form of 'performance' painting. Curated by Deng Feng, the exhibition also involves researchers Nancy Chu from Stanford University and Chuxin Zhang from NYU's Institute of Fine Arts, who are documenting its historical and philosophical dimensions. This marks INKstudio's third exploration of transnational polychrome narrative painting.
Key facts
- Bian Kai was born in 1981 in Liaoning, China.
- The exhibition 'Bian Kai: Conjuring Realities' is at INKstudio in Beijing until August 17.
- Bian Kai references the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas', 'The Peach Blossom Spring', and the Buddhist canon of the Tang Dynasty.
- His painting techniques include Buddhist and Taoist temple murals, Tibetan thangkas, and imperial Chinese court painting.
- The exhibition is designed as an open research laboratory.
- Collaborators include curator Deng Feng (National Art Museum of China), Nancy Chu (Stanford University), and Chuxin Zhang (Institute of Fine Arts, New York University).
- This is the third in a series of curatorial projects at INKstudio on transnational polychrome narrative painting.
- Related contemporary movements include Nihonga Superflat, postcolonial miniature painting, and thangka-inspired works.
Entities
Artists
- Bian Kai
- Takashi Murakami
- Shahzia Sikander
- Imran Qureshi
- Tenzing Rigdol
- Gonkar Gyatso
Institutions
- INKstudio
- National Art Museum of China
- Stanford University
- Institute of Fine Arts, New York University
Locations
- Liaoning
- China
- Beijing
- India
- Central Asia
- Southeast Asia
- Korea
- Japan
- Persia
- Middle East