The Norwegian/Chinese artist Yang Zhu is working with strong contrasts and symbolism. Yang is educated in fine arts at Shanghai University, but moves from Shanghai to Stavanger in 1989 wishing to experience a more tranquil everyday life away from the city’s racket. He immerses himself in the oil painting and derives great inspiration from Norway’s spectacular nature, which is reflected in his powerful, expressionistic backgrounds. He creates rough, raw settings proving great technical abilities.

But Yang Zhu is no ordinary Norwegian painter; this clearly shows in his stringent, classic woman depictions, which to a greater extend is representative of his Chinese origin. The works explore the contrasts between raw nature and the unspoiled beauty of the female – often with an underlying uneasiness, which is characteristic of magical realism. The women are at the center of the exhibition, and upon them rest a meditative melancholia strengthened by the fact that the beholder is never confronted by their look. They close their eyes, turn their backs or are blindfolded – they find themselves in a quiet, tranquil dream world.

An almost celestial atmosphere rests upon Yang’s paintings. It reflects in the characteristic, intense light, but also in the symbolism of the works, which is recurring throughout the exhibition. The white dresses of the women speak of innocence and are in stark contrast to the deep, structured backgrounds. The surfaces are softened by birds and hot air balloons flying through the paintings, whisking away the beholder on a liberating journey.

Yang Zhu is with his elements of magical realism a direct continuation of Galleri V58’s profile and common thread and therefore an obvious choice for this solo exhibition. Furthermore his technical abilities; brushwork and structure are magnificent – an outstanding experience!

stud.mag. Nordic language and literature & Visual Culture, Anna Emilie Ravn

Born 1962