The Uncertain, or the Shelved……

Group exhibition The uncertain, or the shelved… is showcased in ShanghART Gallery both Main and H Space from 16th July. The diversified perspectives have been finalised after sourcing through numerous artists’ studios. Works are exhibited in various media ranging from paintings, installations, sculptures and manuscripts etc. . The exhibition is on view through 31st August.

The uncertain, or the shelved… “The uncertain” is the hesitation, exploration or experimentation of the concept, thoughts, creativity etc. in the extent of thinking logic; “the shelved” is the statement of behaviour positioned in pause, reserve, lingering etc.. Both scenarios are connected as well as mutually influenced each other. This exhibition aims at revealing that those works or ideas are initiated due to momentary inspirations but temporarily/permanently halted because of self-struggling with distracted clues or directions. The mysterious circumstances that how works are conceived and why they’re suspended have become flowing riddles between artists and audiences. Not only does the exhibition challenge the viewers’ cognition by presenting the seemingly divergent creation clues which enrich the possibilities of artists creative contexts, but also reflects the extended associations which are hidden beneath the differentiated creation practices.

“The unfinished is an interesting beginning or a recurrent idea after repetitious recording then forgetting it.”

“I’ve always liked woodcarving, but never followed through… One day sculpting out the rough shape but was difficult in further detailing it, I helplessly left it there…around 2012, had several attempts in carving it again but still ended in a meltdown…now, just look back again, it appears more perfectly after shifting through time, and has become my cherished object.”

“Problems like many traditional craftsmen in churches or temples might confront, how to create an intangible spirit by deploying tangible materials. I wanted to exercise some tactile painting sometimes, I’m sensitive about the surface texture of paintings, therefore, I have processed several experiments violently on some most simple materials. ”

Above narratives excerpted from Artists’ oral statement