Subjective Realm: Between Form and Flow
January 4 – February 1, 2025
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 9, 5-8pm
Artist Talk: Saturday, January 18, 2:30-4pm
We are pleased to present Subjective Realm: Between Form and Flow, a solo exhibition by Chinese artist Chen Duxi. Featuring 23 works from Chen’s Chi Yi 持颐 series, this exhibition explores the fluid interplay of motion, stillness, and time through meticulous Gongbi 工笔 techniques (a Chinese traditional painting style that uses fine and controlled lines to define forms) on silk, enhanced by luminous mineral pigments.
For Chen, water is both a subject and a metaphor, symbolizing the continuous flow of time, the cycles of life, and the dynamic relationship between observer and observed. His understanding of fluidity extends beyond the physical, translating ephemeral movements into visual rhythms. Through the precise use of brushstroke, a cornerstone of Chinese aesthetics, Chen captures the trajectories of water, sediment, and magma, distilling their motion into elegant, layered compositions.
Each line in Chen’s work embodies both the passage of time and the compression of space, creating an intricate interplay of density and flow. Combined with vivid mineral pigments, his paintings achieve an ethereal balance of motion and stillness, inviting viewers to contemplate the deeper connections between nature, existence, and perception.
This latest body of work builds on themes introduced in his earlier Er Gong 尔躬 series, transforming outward observation into an intimate exploration of form, emotion, and meaning. This inward shift reflects Chen’s evolving focus on the essence of his inner realm, fleeting moments are turned into profound meditations on life and existence, inviting viewers into a deeply personal yet universal exploration of interconnectedness.
To learn more, click here.
RECENT PAST EVENT
QM Talks | Conversation with Artist Chen Duxi
Saturday, January 18, 2:30-4pm
In-person and Online
Join us for the afternoon where Chen Duxi will offer a glimpse into his creative journey, sharing personal stories about his artistic process and studio practice. Liu Yifu, a Ph.D. candidate in Art History at Princeton University and Curatorial Fellow at The Frick Collection, will moderate the conversation. Come celebrate the upcoming Snake year with us and enjoy this unique opportunity to engage with the artist and his work!
This conversation invites the audience to learn about the creative process behind the Contemplate (Chiyi) series and the wealth of inspirations that the artist Chen Duxi draws from his study of philosophy and poetry, his encounters with the art of other cultures, and his background in music. The talk will examine Chen’s use of traditional gold-paper (Jinjian), silk (juanben) and mineral pigments, as well as his reinvention of the Gongbi technique. The artist will discuss a number of contradictions that define his oeuvre: the tension between the macro and the micro, between the subjective observation of fleeting moments and the eternal truth, and between the celebration of the external world and the exploration of one’s inner thoughts and emotions. Such dynamic juxtapositions are exemplified by the artist’s years-long obsession with water as a subject. He attempts to capture its essence with dense lines that flow across the painting’s surface. These lines simultaneously embody the passage of time and the construction of pictorial space. The artist will go into detail the philosophical significance of water, and the role of line drawing in his artistic expression.
The event is free and open to the public, with both onsite and online participation options available, and please note that this program includes interpretation from Mandarin Chinese into English.
RECENTLY CLOSED EXHIBITION
Ink and Inspiration
October 24 – December 14, 2024
Opening Reception: Thursday, Nov 7, 2024 from 5-8pm
As autumn deepens, we are pleased to present our year-end group exhibition, Ink and Inspiration.
At the heart of East Asian painting and calligraphy is a deep understanding of the “brush,” and inseparable from that is the use of “ink.” Together, brush and ink have given rise to artistic traditions that have evolved over thousands of years and continue to influence the modern world today. This dynamic interplay between simplicity and complexity—depth and breadth—creates endless possibilities, much like the ancient game of Go, where simple rules lead to infinite strategies.
The exhibition’s theme and title draw inspiration from a plaque by Yang Renkai, a distinguished appraiser who played a pivotal role in authenticating Chinese paintings and calligraphy during the early years of the People’s Republic of China. Yang’s extensive research uncovered lost treasures from the Forbidden City during the late Qing dynasty, including the iconic masterpiece Along the River During the Qingming Festival.
This exhibition features works by Huang Junbi (1898-1991) and Hu Yefu (1908-1980), representing traditional approaches to brush and ink. We also showcase an early work from 1941 by C. C. Wang, which captures his youthful obsession with mastering brush techniques. This piece is contrasted with a later work from Wang’s mature years, revealing the evolution of his artistry. Yu Peng (1955-2014) brings a fresh, unconventional approach to brushwork, introducing bold colors and innovative compositions that pushed the boundaries of ink painting at the turn of the 20th century. Chen Danqing (b. 1953), known primarily for his oil paintings, demonstrates a deep respect for traditional calligraphy, with brushwork that recalls the style of Ming dynasty masters. Finally, the collaborative work of Michael Cherney (b. 1969) and Arnold Chang (b. 1954) represents the modern extension of brush and ink into the contemporary art world, where tradition and innovation meet.
To learn more, click here.
About the Gallery
We work at the intersection of East and West, contemporary and traditional. We are dedicated to exploring the visual and geographic globalization of contemporary Asian art and documenting artists’ work that resonates with classical Asian philosophy, aesthetics, and culture, with no limits on their expressive mediums.
With the rapidly evolving contemporary art scene as our backdrop, our mission is to present major artists’ creative trajectories to a wider audience through exhibitions, in-depth interviews, critical analysis, and forums for scholarly exchanges. FQM ultimately provides an educational venue where visual pleasure is paired with intellectual challenge, highlighting the broad effects of globalization, and transnational and diaspora experiences.
Our team, enriched with over a decade of experience from leading global auction houses, offers unparalleled expertise in the appraisal, dealing, and management of Chinese art. Grounded in a commitment to excellence, we are certified by the Appraisers Association of America (AAA) and adhere to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
