Zeng Fanzhi's experiments with animals a hit

• Source: Global Times
• [09:30 August 18 2010]
• Comments

Tusks of a Mammoth by Zeng Fanzhi.

"I discovered I could not finish it before the exhibition, so I made the tusks instead, which turned out great and fit the space," said Zeng.

"Can you believe it? I painted 25 layers of oil onto the wood?" Zeng asked reporters at a pre-show press conference. "It took one to two weeks to complete each layer. I imagined them like this," he said. In fact the sculptured tusks are twice the size of real-life mammoths.

Part of the exhibition is featured in the nearby restored Union Church where Zeng displays some "disordered brush" style stained glass works and another "covered" sculpture Untitled.

He seemed to be cautious about the religious references, saying: "I don't profess to believe in any religion, but some of my works are influenced by Western art, the history of which has a close relationship with religion."

Along with the religious music Zeng has selected for the exhibition, this could be a pleasantly refreshing experience in the summer.

"The best time to experience this is between 5 pm and 6 pm, when the sun shines through the windows," Zeng said.

The "new" works seem to appeal. "I didn't expect the exhibition would be so fantastic. I thought the space would be too cramped to display the master's charm," said visitor Guan Jin.

The Rockbund space was one of the earliest public museums in China, and up to the 1950s, exhibited animal specimens. "Unlike other exhibitions, the works on display this time were created according to the space and shape of the museum," said the curator Wu Hong.

Considering the space and shape of the gallery for which he was creating these works was a rare experience for Zeng. "We visited the venue when it was being renovated, and I planned to make animal-related works, which echoed the history of the museum. I wanted to show my concern about life through my works, just like telling a story," Zeng said.

A true legend in China's contemporary art scene, Zeng's Mask fetched $75.36 million Hong Kong dollars in 2008's Christie's auction, the highest price ever for a Chinese contemporary artist.

Date: Until October 12, 10 am to 6 pm,

(closed on Monday)

Venue: Rockbund Art Museum 外滩美术馆

Address: 20 Huqiu Road 虎丘路20号

Admission: 15 yuan

Call 3310-9985 for details