Exhibition blurs painting and sculpture

Warm No 2 is showing at Hang's exhibition. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The title of Hang Chunhui's ongoing exhibition in Beijing, Ambiguity, is inspired by a verse from the 11th century Yuefu Shiji, or the poetry collection of the music bureau. The verse reads: "Lotus flowers disappear in mist and dew, only the leaves are ambiguously visible."

The 41-year-old artist says the line indicates a traditional Chinese way of art appreciation that mysticism is beauty.

He says it works with his recent exploration of creating works that blur the boundary between painting and sculpture.

Hang is known as an ink artist. Most of his previous paintings feature a classic style involving the gongbi technique.

But since 2015, the Beijing-based artist has turned experimental, producing works that combine ink painting and sculpture.

His 30 creations now on show at the Asia Art Center, in the city's 798 art district, demonstrate his skills.

"When people look at the works, they are likely to be deceived," says Hang.

For example, when one stands in front of Warm No 2, the person feels that it depicts a piece of yellow cloth with folds and wrinkles.