The two phoenixes fly by side in harmonious resonance. Since ancient times, phoenixes have been always associated women, imperial power and vitality, connoting soft power of nobility, purity and beauty. The harmonious resonance of phoenixes sounds like “Chang Chang”. In 2014, the group exhibition named “Clang Clang” in Leo Gallery showed works of female artists including US artist Barbara Edelstein and Maya Kramer, Chinese artist Yan Ping and Chinese Hong Kong artist Man Fung-yi. All of them are exploring the vitality of different art media in their own realm. Born as an American, Barbara loves Chinese ink painting very much, discovering glamor of life in nature and appreciating the beauty of plant growth. In Maya’s installation, floating feathers were sculpted in carbon-- the most stable material on the Earth, which symbolizes the unbearable lightness and weight. As an artist from Beijing, confidently, firmly yet gently, Yan Ping applies intense yet mild colors and solid strokes in her oil paintings to express the artist attitude unique to a female artist. Inspired by needlework, Man Fung-yi “sewed” pieces of metal installations by using metals as threads in a Zen-like approach. This group exhibition displayed various works of the four female artists which express their understanding of life via different art media that they are good at, including paintings, sculptures, and installations. The dialogues and resonance among different works are reminiscent to the beautiful clang-clangs of flying phoenixes, telling the world that the soft power is a force to be reckoned with.
Artists: Barbara Edelstein, Maya Kramer, Man Fung-yi and Yan Ping
Opening reception: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Sunday 2014.11.16
