A holistic approach to heritage and traditional culture

Ti Gong

Ti Gong

When pop musician Dou Wei composes music for an exhibition, it often indicates the event is very special.

Dou, once the pinnacle of China's rock and roll world, has retreated from the public eye and enjoys a quiet world of his own.

However, for the art of Ren Zhong, Dou was happy to compose music for the exhibition.

Ren, 47, although widely recognized as one of the best ink-wash painters in China, seldom has solo exhibitions. But this time at the Long Museum West Bund, he's holding "Ren Zhong, Ink Danqing Art Exhibition" through October 8.

The exhibition features 108 calligraphy and ink paintings by Ren, showcasing his mastery of ink painting by spanning diverse genres, including figures, landscapes, flowers and birds.

Ti Gong

Having practiced art since his childhood, Ren avidly delved into the study of ancient masters, both their techniques and philosophies. He cultivated a solid foundation in traditional Chinese art, poetry and literature, extensively studying the work of past masters.

The exhibition starts with "Ji Kang," portraying the ancient scholar Ji Kang (AD 224-263) sitting gracefully on a couch. The painting, created in 2005, fully demonstrates Ren's talent at an early stage.

Except for this painting, all the works on display were completed over the past five years.

Snowy scenes is the focus of the exhibition, whether bamboo, trees or plum blossoms covered with snow.

For example, "Xue Jun" vividly reflects the simplicity and purity of a snowy setting.

"Do you know how these snow scenes are depicted?" asked Xie Dingwei, curator of the exhibition. "It is almost a mission impossible."

Apart from "Snow Bamboo" painted by Xu Xi (AD 907-979), which is in the collection of the Shanghai Museum, Xie continued: "As far as I know, there has been no other artist to ever paint the snow on bamboo as Xu did in this way. It is incredibly difficult. Although the bamboo pole and leaves are white, they are not painted while, but the natural color of the silk paper. Xu painted the surrounds with ink, leaving the pole and leaves blank, serving as a foil to the ink."

Ti Gong

Ren echoed with Xie.

"I still remember the moment I saw Xu's masterpiece at the Shanghai Museum about 20 years ago," Ren said. "I was utterly dumbfounded, and kept asking myself how he did that."

Perhaps that's why Xie calls Ren "a real genius in art," as he achieved the mission in just five years.

Another highlight of the exhibition is "Wild Goose Fleet Fugue."

It took Ren more than three years to conceive and 17 drafts to complete.

"I grew up in the northern part of the country and I often saw geese crossing in the sky. I felt an unfathomable beauty in the line of geese. The sincerity, faith, courage and purity are all the highest qualities of Chinese people."

Dou's exquisite composition for the exhibition, including "Snow Bamboo Fugue" and "Wild Goose Fleet Fugue," infuses the space with an ethereal ambiance that harmoniously resonates with the artwork.

The seamless integration of music and paintings achieves a sublime union of sound and art, transcending the boundaries between the celestial and the human.

Exhibition info:

Date: Through October 8 (closed on Mondays), Tuesdays-Thursdays, 10am-6pm; Fridays-Sundays, 10am-8pm

Venue: Long Museum West Bund

Address: 3398 Longteng Ave

龙腾大道3398号