Li Hongjun's works explore the properties contained in paper to express his observations and sensations of the world. His “Myself”, “Expansion”, “Drift Away” and other series used displaced paper, rotation and other methods to combine eastern and western methods of paper cutting, and expressed the distortion of man’s values after encounters with the reality of modern society. Today, his many years of work have given him an outstanding reputation as an installation artist, and he has been called by CAFA’s vice-president Xu Bing “an artist with Chinese folk wisdom”.

Li Hongjun’s sensitive mastery and personal expressions of contemporary art languages enable what he has done to be a valuable personal case in the modern art practice in China. Nowadays he is one of the most striking artists of sculpture in Chinese mainland. Li Hongjun’s particular life experiences have given him dual identities. In the early 90’s he created installations in international exhibitions alongside artists such as Fang Lijun and Xu Bing, but when his wife fell ill he chose to return home and take care of her. In 2006 an admission notice from Central Academy of Art’s Experimental Art Program allowed Li Hongjun, in middle age, to return to Beijing and continue his creation of art. His works are mostly made by paper. His “Myself”, “Expansion”, “Drift Away” and other series used displaced paper, rotation and other methods to combine eastern and western methods of paper cutting, and expressed the distortion of man’s values after encounters with the reality of modern society. Today, his many years of work have given him an outstanding reputation as an installation artist, and he has been called by CAFA’s vice-president Xu Bing “an artist with Chinese folk wisdom”.

Mind and Hand Coordination – An Exhibition of Six Artists Artists: Wu Di, Wu Haizhou, Jiang Huajun, Wei Yan, Tian Tian, Song Chen Duration: August 15th – September 15th 2011 Venue: VA GALLERY MW3, M Floor @ The Peninsula Hotel, Salisbury Street, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2368 1068 Fax: (852) 2368 3388 Email: info@va-gallery.com Website: www.va-gallery.com These 6 artists are representative of those born in the 1970’s, heavily influenced by collective concepts. Their intense feelings are poured into an outlet that uses their quite personal experiences to remind us of our common feelings: ego and the loneliness that always accompanies us. Face to face with the complicated world, they are making a great contribution to Chinese contemporary art. These artists are sharing their own feelings with us, and they express their hearts through their hands. It is a rational awakening of self-consciousness. One who doesn’t know himself, directly face his own feelings or express what he needs, cannot be independent. There is a tacit cooperation between life and art—only independent individuality can create independent art—and this is the most important step of self-awakening for Chinese contemporary art. They are Wu Di, Wu Haizhou, Jiang Huajun, Wei Yan, Tian Tian and Song Chen.

Xiong Yu is one of the most outstanding Chinese contemporary artists and also an important representative of post-70s artists. In his works one can find many characteristics of mid to late 1970s artists, including their dreams, visual cartoon styles, experiences of illusion, images and colors’ “cool”, as well as expressions of electronic culture. With his classical background, Xiong Yu always breaks the rules of real society and constructs his own art language through surreal and virtual worlds. His works touch upon topics of ideals and realities and focus on the relationship between social reality and ideals. The elements of wings and beams of light in his works convey people’s faith. The artist says: “Everyone has a dream, existing in their hearts just like invisible wings. “ Xiong Yu’s works are not influenced by fixed forms. These exaggerated characters with big eyes and elegant gestures easily draw viewers’ eyes to the works, and face directly into our hearts. Xiong Yu’s works bring one back to any dream or desire one has ever had.