01/24/2025
WALKING BETWEEN INK AND BLUE-GREEN
LA Art Station in Los Angeles will feature "Walking Between Ink and Blue-Green" by Hong Bo in 2025, a traveling exhibit curated by ACCA. This exhibition is part of the "Traditional Masters / Contemporary Visions in LA 2025" and is jointly hosted by the LA Art Station, ACCA Gallery, California Institute of the Arts, Zhanlu, and the Hong Bo Art Studio. It marks the first stop of the international tour, following previous exhibitions in Guilin, Tianjin, and Shenzhen, China.
This February, LA Art Station and ACCA will introduce "Walking Between Ink and Blue-Green," a curated exhibition by Maya Ito and Carlos Benitez. This exhibition showcases Hong Bo's representative works from his early years and recent creations, encompassing paintings, installations, and collages. It provides a comprehensive view of his artistic journey, reflecting a global Chinese artist's philosophical reflections on traditional Chinese culture.
The exhibition is divided into four sections: Hong Bo's World of Landscapes, Being and Non-being, Seeing Blue-Green Again, and Wave: Traces of Vibration Series.
Hong Bo's World of Landscapes
Spanning 48 years, this section presents early studies, traditional landscapes, foreign sketches, and recent abstract landscapes, showcasing the evolution of Hong Bo's artistic style and his exploratory path. From mastering traditional Chinese landscape painting to developing innovative texture strokes in depicting foreign landscapes, Hong Bo achieved remarkable success. His experiments with splashed-ink and splashed-color landscapes, from large-scale works to small pieces, established a new paradigm that won widespread acclaim. Although rooted in traditional Chinese painting, this section employs a contemporary presentation style, offering a refreshing new perspective for viewers.
Being and Non-Being
This section displays Hong Bo's modern ink works from the past two years, where he boldly transcends traditional landscape painting techniques. Using a blend of ink and color, he transforms impressions of natural landscapes into contemporary visual experiences. The works vividly reflect the latest developments in his landscape painting, portraying the subtle essence of mountains and rivers through a unique artistic language that carries a deep sense of cultural nostalgia.
Seeing Blue-Green Again
"Verdant green remains verdant green, yet to revisit it is to experience it anew." This section reimagines and elevates traditional aesthetic elements, situating them in a modern context through experimental media. Hong Bo seeks to explore the diverse possibilities of traditional art, re-examining the contemporary value of Eastern aesthetics with a global perspective. Through groundbreaking visual presentations, this section fosters cross-cultural dialogue and mutual inspiration.
Wave: Traces of Vibration Series
A highlight of this exhibition is the first-ever public display of Hong Bo's oil paintings, a milestone in his career. Art critic Miao Sheng describes these works as "canvas manifestations of the soul's dimensions," while art scholar Liu Junping praises the resonance between Hong Bo's calligraphic linearity and the abstract language of non-figurative art, reflecting the aesthetic concept of "interdependence of void and solid." The "Wave & Trace" series integrates the spirit of Eastern art into Western artistic frameworks, creating a unique form of cultural dialogue.
Hong Bo describes his creative process as an uncharted exploration, using colors and brushstrokes to record his state of mind: "Painting what is seen and unseen." This series combines traditional ink techniques with modern abstract art, merging linearity and spontaneity to create abstract works imbued with Eastern aesthetics.
Significance and Impact
As a cultural ambassador navigating between Eastern and Western traditions, Hong Bo is deeply rooted in Chinese culture while adeptly engaging with contemporary Western art. With a keen awareness of present realities, he continuously challenges himself, seeking to discover an artistic language that transcends cultural barriers and resonates universally.
From 2023 to 2024, the domestic tour of "Hong Bo: Walking Between Ink and Blue-Green" garnered widespread attention and praise. Major media outlets reported extensively on the exhibition, and the art world recognized its significance. Notable installations like "Seeing Blue-Green Again No. 6" were featured in the "Inheriting the Past and Innovating the Future - Masterpieces Exhibition" at the 798 Arts Center in Beijing, while "Seeing Blue-Green Again No. 10" was included in the annual special exhibition "Only This China Green" at the Six Dynasties Museum in Nanjing. Collage works like "Five Elements Diagram" were showcased at the 14th National Art Exhibition and displayed in the National Art Museum of China, with several works acquired by museums.
The international tour in 2025 is set to continue this momentum, offering audiences a fresh viewing experience and richer aesthetic enjoyment. The exhibition will run until February 10, 2025.
HONG BO
Walking Between Ink and Blue-Green
Curated by Maya Ito with Carlos Benitez
Opening reception: Saturday, January 25th, 2–5pm
January 10 – February 10, 2025
Clars Auction House in San Gabriel
818 W Las Tunas Dr, San Gabriel, CA 91776
Go behind the scenes with renowned artist and art critic Peter Frank, as he unveils never-before-seen artworks by the talented Hong Bo. This exclusive exhibition offers a rare glimpse into Hong Bo's creative journey, providing art enthusiasts with an unparalleled chance to experience the artist's vision and process. Join us for an unforgettable evening of art, insight, and inspiration.
Watch Video
https://youtu.be/qU2gKzCGeSY?si=ZUcSyR6f3OeBzldG
Press Release
https://indd.adobe.com/.../e5325788-f754-4039-a607...
