Luo Songsong

    songsongluo@126.com

    A FINE horse without a body and a lady in a robe but without a head? Yes! The two sculptures were created by Dai Yun, a local artist known for his talent for making sculptures out of red and gray bricks. At an exhibition held by Shenzhen Fine Art Institute (SFAI), there is much more to explore.

    The city is changing every day. Modern artists can focus on traditional subjects such as rural scenery, birds, flowers, fishes and elegant architecture so prevalent in Chinese paintings, and the modern phenomenon of urban construction. As early as in 1992, Dong Xiaoming, a director of SFAI, invited local artists to work on the topic, “urban water and ink.”

    “Since then, many artists escape their studios to construction sites, subway tunnels and airports to create works,” said Yang Xiaoyang, the vice president of SFAI whose painting on display features the construction of the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center.

    Yan Xiaoping, the only female artist taking part in the exhibition, is skillful in the mixed use of strong colors and water and ink. In her painting “Most Beautiful Time,” she depicts the refined and comfortable life experienced by many urbanites and records their aesthetic sentiments.

    “I like the serenity, brightness, sentiments, comfort and warmth of strong colors and I like to record and discover every touching moment in my life,” said Yan. Through her works, Yan hopes to help people experience a colorful life and the cultural atmosphere surrounding them.

    In 2012, the art institute began inviting local renowned artists to create works in two-year sessions. So far, there are 25 visiting artists at the institute, which holds an exhibition to showcase their latest works each year. In addition, the institute has about 50 guest artists all over the world, some of whom will be invited to hold solo exhibitions in the city.

    1. A sculpture by Yu Peng on display.

    2. Painting “Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in Construction” by Yang Xiaoyang.

    By courtesy of SFAI

    3. A sculpture by Dai Yun.

    4. Painting “The Shanghai Bund” by Chen Xidan.

    5. A scene at the SFAI exhibition.

    Photos by Luo Songsong

    unless otherwise specified

    Dates: Until Jan. 31

    Time: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., closes Mondays

    Venue: Shenzhen Fine Art Institute, intersection of Jinhu Road and Yinhu Road, Luohu District (罗湖区银湖路金湖路口深圳画院)

    Tickets: Free entry

    Buses: 4, 5, 7, 46, 69, 201