Mengyun Han's Lyric Abstraction Exhibition at Today Art Museum Confronts Beijing's Art Scene Challenges
From July 7 to July 21, 2013, Mengyun Han showcased her exhibition titled 'In Between Islands' at the Today Art Museum in Beijing. This emerging artist, who is in her mid-20s, produced lyrical abstract works that merge Western and Asian artistic traditions. Notable artworks featured in the exhibition included 'Letting' (2013), an oil painting measuring 120 by 48 inches, 'Momentum' (2013), an ink-on-paper piece, 'Wandering Mind' (2012), and 'Samsara III' (2012), a four-panel work that delves into Buddhist themes. Influenced by Taoist philosophy and mid-20th century abstract expressionism, Han's exhibition emerged in a challenging Beijing art scene marked by commercialization and critical discourse issues, as the museum transitioned to private ownership amid a slowing Chinese art market post-mid-2000s price bubble.
Key facts
- Mengyun Han's exhibition 'In Between Islands' ran July 7-21, 2013 at Today Art Museum in Beijing
- Han was in her mid-20s at the time of the exhibition
- She studied at Bard College in upstate New York for four years and attended Rutgers University for a semester
- Her work blends Taoist philosophy, traditional ink painting, and abstract expressionist influences
- Paintings combined oils and ink as cultural dialogue rather than compromise
- 'Letting' (2013) measured 120 by 48 inches with brown and gray patterning
- 'Samsara III' (2012) was a large four-panel painting exploring Buddhist concepts
- Today Art Museum transitioned from public to private institution with rentable spaces
Entities
Artists
- Mengyun Han
Institutions
- Today Art Museum
- Bard College
- Rutgers University
Locations
- Beijing
- China
- New York
- United States