Zao Wou-Ki, Gaudigny (Avril 2007), 2007, serigraph, 112 x 161 cm, Edition 2/8
ZAO WOU-KI:
Art without Border
“The idea of throwing some color on a large porous white stone, as on paper, appealed to me.”
In a world where cultural boundaries are continuously blurred and redefined, Villepin presents an exhibition that explores the artistic universe of Zao Wou-Ki, offering a journey through his illustrious career full of works that bridge Eastern and Western aesthetic traditions.
The exhibition will showcase Zao Wou-Ki’s deep engagement with various mediums and techniques, including a diverse range of printmaking methods, watercolors on paper, and ceramic and porcelain painting, each illustrating the fluidity and curiosity that define his career and confirm his status as a master of abstract expressionism. Lithographs, etchings, and serigraphs play a significant role in his body of work, offering a unique approach to composition and texture while allowing Zao Wou-Ki to produce limited editions of his art, opening up access to a wider audience. His extensive travels across various countries and diverse cultural experiences are seamlessly integrated into his visual language. This exhibition will closely examine the profound connections he succeeded in creating with select places and how these attachments are expressed in his work.
The ground floor is dedicated to Zao Wou-Ki’s time in Ibiza. While based in Paris, Zao Wou-Ki spent several months each year on the serene Spanish island and built one studio there, based on the architectural plans of Josep Lluís Sert. Over his visits to Ibiza, the island deeply influenced Zao Wou-Ki’s vibrant and abstract artistic works.
The first floor is themed around Zao Wou-Ki’s mastery of printmaking, an important area within Zao Wou-Ki’s oeuvre. This floor showcases his innovative use of colors and forms, highlighting how his interactions with fellow artists in Paris shaped his printmaking creations. The artist’s work showcases his creative evolution, transitioning from an early poetic figurative style to a more thought-provoking abstract painting style in his later years.
The second floor transports visitors to Gaudigny, Zao Wou-Ki’s second home in France. Gaudigny, located in the countryside near Paris, served as a second, larger studio for Zao Wou-Ki from the mid 1980’s until the 2000’s. There he also painted watercolours that have been transposed in lithographs. The exhibited works from both his Paris and Gaudigny studios highlight his limited editions cultural and artistic influences, and put into the spotlight the time-consuming and intricate techniques of serigraphic printing. Embodying the essence of Zao Wou-Ki’s artistic evolution during this period, they reflect both his personal experiences and broader artistic movements.
“My work is an exploration of the universe, where art is both a reflection and a revelation,” Zao Wou-Ki once remarked, encapsulating the essence of his artistic journey. This exhibition is an ode to his enduring legacy and a testament to his ability to reflect on his personal experiences and broader artistic movements.
Exhibition Opening: 12 September 2024 - 20 October 2024
Space: 53 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
Sunday - Wednesday | 11AM - 7PM (By appointment only)
Thursday - Sunday | 11AM - 7PM (Open to public)
Monday | Closed