Cao Zhen

caozhen0806@126.com

SURREAL artwork often creates an exciting visual effect, thanks to artists’ imagination and unconventional expression. Art enthusiasts in Shenzhen can now admire surrealist photography by Hungarian artist Flóra Borsi at the “Order and Symbiosis: Hungarian Female Artists Joint Exhibition,” which is being held at the He Xiangning Art Museum. The exhibition also features abstract paintings by another Hungarian artist, Orsolya Áder.

Flora’s mesmerizing and stylish photos feature women’s faces juxtaposed with various objects, such as sliced oranges, butterflies, and ants. By playing with the concealment and revelation of eyes and faces, she highlights the feminine form to explore themes of female representation and the relationship between body and self. Through these works, she examines the intricate connection between women and the ever-changing external world.

Borsi said that as a teenager, she loved experimenting with Photoshop and creating collages. As she grew older, she found that snapshots were insufficient for expressing her ideas or telling stories that can be surreal, emotional, and conceptual. She aims to create photographic works that are distinctly her own, using Photoshop to achieve her artistic vision.

While Borsi’s photos capture the subtle relationship between women and the external world, Áder’s abstract paintings delve into the spiritual realm. Her works rely on the collision, superimposition, and fusion of colors to convey the flow of time and her evolving state of mind during the creative process. She examines herself and seeks harmony amid what might appear to be irregular brushstrokes.

Áder, who calls herself Mulan, noted that the pieces on display were created over the past four years while she lived in China. Some of her works incorporate the Chinese philosophy of yin and yang, which embodies the complementary forces that shape all aspects and phenomena of life.

She said she respects Mulan, a strong-willed female figure from ancient China. Through her paintings, Áder hopes to express her affection for China and the influence of Chinese culture on her art.

As a DJ, she also creates vibrant paintings designed to be experienced in dark rooms illuminated by glowing lights, offering visitors a unique sensory experience.

Both artists donated their works to the He Xiangning Art Museum at the exhibition’s opening Dec. 22. Cheng Bin, deputy director of the art museum, emphasized the museum's long-standing focus on female artists and its commitment to researching and promoting women’s art.

He said that to commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Hungary, the museum has curated this exhibition, showcasing the talents of two Hungarian female artists and celebrating the cultural exchange between the two countries.

Dates: Through Feb. 23, 2025

Venue: He Xiangning Art Museum, Nanshan District

Metro: Line 1 to OCT Station, Exit C