An exhibition titled ‘Eyes on Fire’ by Guangdong artist Xu Weibo is going to be held at the Kui Yuan Gallery, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou between April 20th and May 31st.

Born in 1987 in Shantou City, Guangdong, Xu Weibo graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts in 2011 and is now living and working in the province.

The exhibition ‘Eyes on Fire’ is Xu Weibo’s second solo exhibition after his first one ‘To Be Not To Be: Xu Weibo's Ink Arts’ held at the Shang Rong Gallery in Guangzhou two years ago. He has also joined a few group exhibitions around the country since 2015.

Why would Xu Weibo choose fire as the theme and symbol of his works? Sun Xiaofeng, the academic director of the exhibition, explains the reasons in the foreword. He says,

Cracking Song / Ink on silk, gold foil 50x74cm 2018 by Xu Weibo. [Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

“There are countless Chinese and foreign classical and literary allusions with regard to the imagery and symbol of fire. There are also many stories related to fire in Chinese history, a big fire broke out and led to a new wave of changes, illuminating a historical turning point. Although fire is elusive and unpredictable, ‘a single spark can start a prairie fire', the greatness of fire has been witnessed by history. The use of fire has great significance for the development of human society. Fire has changed the primitive state of eating animals raw, changed human being’s food structure and thus prolonged the life of primitive people and promoted social development.”

“Xu Weibo’s choice of fire as the theme and symbol of his works requires the support of the cultural system of the image and symbol of fire as the basis, so that to avoid falling in simplistic novelty hunting for diagram. The diversity of techniques stems from his multidimensional considerations in the study and expression of the symbol of fire. He captures the instantaneous image of fire through multiple angles, techniques and media.”

“For him, the fire seems to fit the Chinese aesthetic pursuit of being between ‘like and not like’. In the free play and visual experience, fire is an excellent balance point. Of course, Weibo’s fire also bears secular auspicious meanings — prosperity and good fortune, suggesting that ‘this person will be popular’ or ‘to cause a good sensation’.”

“Interestingly, water and fire are the opposites, but Xu Weibo draws fire with water, and there is more dialectical meaning in it.”

Fire And Wind / Ink on silk, gold foil 38.5x40.5cm 2018 by Xu Weibo. [Photo provided to Newsgd.com]

|Exhibition Info|

Artist: Xu Weibo

Academic Director: Sun Xiaofeng

Curator: Kelvin Huang

Exhibition Duration: 2019. 04. 20 — 2019. 05. 31

Open Hours: 11:00 - 20:00

Venue: Kui Yuan Gallery, No.9, Xuguyuan Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou (广州市越秀区恤孤院路9号 逵园艺术馆)

Nearby metro station: Dongshankou, Line 1 or 6