In the Heart of the Bronze: A Liu Shiming Experience

Liu Shiming, Dream to Fly 想飞的人, 1982, Bronze.

In the Heart of the Bronze: A Liu Shiming Experience

Curated by Ashar Mobeen, PhD candidate

artLAB Gallery, London
October 26 – November 16, 2023
Reception: Thursday, October 26, 5-7PM
Panel Discussion with Yam Lau and Ashar Mobeen: Thursday, October 26, 7-8PM, in Western Interdisciplinary Research Building (WIRB), Room 1170

Presented in partnership with the Liu Shiming Art Foundation

In the Heart of the Bronze: A Liu Shiming Experience showcases twenty-five bronze artworks meticulously crafted by the brilliant Chinese sculptor, Liu Shiming, throughout his lifetime. These remarkable sculptures embody Shiming’s distinct style and delve into the realm of sculpture techniques he pioneered and advocated, known as “Chinese methods.” By doing so, the exhibition aims to highlight the diligent efforts and valuable contributions made by Chinese sculptors and the Central Academy of Fine Arts to the global sculpture scene. Visitors will also gain insights into the century-long modernization of Chinese sculpture, which possesses a distinctive essence rooted in traditional and local experiences. This approach stands in stark contrast to the prevalent Western narratives, thereby augmenting the heterogeneity of narratives within the realm of global contemporary art history.

Liu Shiming, Looking at Each Other Through the Cage 隔笼相望, 1990, Bronze.

Liu Shiming (1926-2010) was a revered Chinese sculptor, whose works have made a distinct impact on the course of modern Chinese sculpture art. Born in 1926, Shiming attended the Central Academy of Fine. As early as 1950, Shiming received international recognition for his work Measuring Land, and there after, Shiming continued to make large-scale and publicly displayed sculptures. In the 1960s, Shiming resided in the countryside of Henan and Hebei provinces, where he gained a unique perspective on the working class and rural life. His time outside of the city, and closely handling folk art works in local museums, inspired Shiming to focus on everyday scenes in his works, becoming a common theme of Shiming sculptures. Today, Shiming is recognized for his ability to beautifully capture the most mundane scenes, as well as his aptitude for fusing folk traditions with modern sensibilities.

Liu Shiming, Folk Singer 民歌王, 2006, Bronze.

Yam Lau is a Hong Kong-born, Toronto-based multimedia artist. He is currently an associate professor at York University. Lau’s creative work explores new expressions and qualities of space, time, and the image. His recent works involve video and computer-generated animation to create spaces in varied dimensionalities and perspectives. A recipient of awards from the Canada, Ontario, and Toronto arts councils, Lau has also exhibited widely across Canada, mainland China, and Europe.

Contact
Liza Eurich, artLAB Gallery Director
leurich@uwo.ca
519.661.2111 ext. 86186

artLAB Gallery
Department of Visual Arts
Western University
John Labatt Visual Arts Centre, Room 122
London, ON N6A 5B7

Gallery Hours
Monday – Friday: 12-5PM
Thursday: 12-7PM

The artLAB is accessible.