Lisson, ArtBay jointly present 'Variation'

This autumn, art lovers can appreciate paintings and sculptures by internationally sought-after artists at ArtBay in OCT-LOFT.

The “Variation” exhibition, co-presented by Lisson Gallery and ArtBay, showcases works by Tony Cragg, Ryan Gander, Shirazeh Houshiary, Anish Kapoor, Liu Xiaodong, Jason Martin, Nathalie Djunberg & Hans Berg, Rodney Graham, Christopher Le Brun and Tatsuo Miyajima.

Anish Kapoor’s “Lime and Apple Mix to Brandy Red” (2017) is on display at ArtBay. Photos courtesy of the exhibition organizers

The artists are all represented by Lisson Gallery, a contemporary art gallery with locations in Beijing, Shanghai, London and New York.

At the Shenzhen exhibition, Kapoor has brought one of his iconic mirror sculptures. “Lime and Apple Mix to Brandy Red” (2017) is a beautiful stainless steel and lacquer round mirror painted in lime and red colors. It entices you to observe your distorted reflections, and seems to draw you in.

Liu Xiaodong’s oil painting “The Fire of 1841” (2012).

Liu’s large-scale oil painting “The Fire of 1841” (2012) was created during his residency in Altstadt Eisenerz, Austria. It is no ordinary landscape painting but the fruit of an in-depth sociological survey. Liu uses loose brushstrokes to outline the city’s changes in history, industry and economy. His treatment of light, shadow and colors is reminiscent of the jovial pleasure of the Impressionists.

Rodney Graham’s painting “Untitled” (2022).

Canadian artist Graham has brought his new painting “Untitled” to Shenzhen. Although best known for his conceptual practice as a photographer and installation artist, Graham has often turned to painting. Through layering and superimposition, Graham achieves the painterly equivalent of an all-over Cubism in his new painting. He splices together different styles in this painting, from Braque, Picasso to Rodchenko.

Christopher Le Brun’s oil painting “Swan” (2014).

Le Brun is exhibiting two oil paintings at the exhibition. His practice over the past two years has focused on abstraction, inspired by the principle of flatness established by modern Western art. His use of colors in his paintings is what he describes as primary responses to the act of painting.

Japanese foremost sculptor and installation artist Miyajima is famous for his digit-themed installations using contemporary materials such as electric circuits, video and computers. The numbers, flashing in continual and repetitious cycles from 1 to 9, represent the journey from life to death. His works are primarily concerned with the significance of time and space, especially within the context of Buddhist thought.

At the exhibition, he presents a large-scale single digit formed by wooden bars. The digit is changeable, decided by the dice exhibited alongside the work. This interaction through the use of the dice — an object known for its play with chance — speaks to Miyajima’s foundational belief in the changing nature of life and the way in which everything is connected.

Nathalie Djurberg & Hans Berg’s sculpture “A Stream Stood Still” (2022).

The Swedish artistic duo, Nathalie Djurberg & Hans Berg, has placed a flower sculpture using polymer clay, acrylic paint, fabric, metal wire, wood and resin, exhibiting a fragile beauty and an organic logic of their own.

In 2009, at the 53rd Venice Biennial, the artists created their first major work inspired by flora and fauna, a subversively surreal and immersive Garden of Eden, entitled “The Experiment,” for which they were awarded the Silver Lion for best emerging artists. Flowers recur in the duo’s practice due to their abiding interest in the fleeting nature of human emotions and the symbolism for love, joy, desire, sadness and vulnerability.

Tony Cragg’s bronze sculpture “Untitled” (2020).

Dates: Until Nov. 6

Booking: WeChat account “ArtBayCulture”

Venue: ArtBay, South Area, OCT-LOFT, Nanshan District (南山区华侨城创意文化园南区艺湾ArtBay)

Metro: Line 1 to Qiaocheng East Station (侨城东站), Exit A