YAN Bing | At First the Weather Was Fine

The exhibition title comes from a short story “The Student” by Russian writer Anton Chekhov. Not only the emotional connection between main characters that leads to new insights across time and space, but also the uncertain atmospheric conditions in the story, resonate with Yan’s ongoing practice—the artist perseveres in the long silence, seises opportunities right from the moment of their appearance and then renders the chosen objects more expansive, profound with his own imagination. As Yan Bing suggests, everything is both accidental and inevitable.

Known for depicting prosaic items of daily life and the rich, delicate tones, Yan’s paintings convey response to his early life experience in a countryside of northwestern China. In this exhibition, whether the recent works that stand alone or a group of paintings focusing on mushrooms are steeped in Yan’s deep understanding of individual spirit and human survival. Objects that are deliberately magnified against the gloomy background, as well as subtle lines and texture, give the work itself a strong sense of ritual and portrait. Following the artist’s gaze, viewers enter a familiar and yet strange field, while scattered personal memories and complicated emotions are illuminated in turn, evoking the enormous energy that has been hidden in the most inconspicuous corners for a long time.