In the golden autumn of October, the attention of art enthusiasts once again turns to London as the renowned Asian Art in London (AAL) prepares to unveil its latest magnificent chapter. Representing the Taiwanese art scene, the “Mo Hai Lou International Art Research Institute” will showcase the special exhibition SUBLIMATION at the prestigious St. James’s Gallery, located within the global headquarters of Christie’s in the heart of London’s financial district. This exhibition, which will open in late October, promises to add a touch of Eastern elegance to the autumn days of London.
The SUBLIMATION exhibition brings together seven influential contemporary Asian/Taiwanese artists: Fu Yiyao, Wang Sihan, Tai Xiangzhou, Fang Wenshan, Su Xianfa, Zhu Youyi, and Ji Baizhou. Dr. Ye, the curator, explains the central theme: “In this exhibition, ‘sublimation’ represents a multi-phase transformation in the artistic process. We will witness how traditional techniques are reborn in a contemporary context, how materials transcend their original properties to carry profound meaning, and how artists distill personal experiences into universal emotions. For instance, Ms. Fu Yiyao skillfully sublimates traditional ink techniques by merging Japanese artistic philosophy, creating a unique artistic vocabulary. Wang Sihan’s leather art represents a leap from material to pure artistic expression.”
Through these works, the audience will experience firsthand how everyday objects, cultural memories, and personal emotions are elevated into an art form with universal resonance, prompting deep reflections on the nature of life. Each artist brings a unique perspective and technique to interpret the profound theme of Sublimation, showcasing the intrinsic charm and philosophical depth of Eastern art.
The emerging artist Wang Sihan (founder of Grace Han) primarily works with leather, creating two distinct art forms: classic leather bags and groundbreaking leather creations. This exhibition will feature her latest works, including Sky Ballet, Glistening, Glimmer, and Lake and Window. Wang explores the beauty of water and light through her dynamic leather works, transforming resilient leather into fluid, ever-changing forms. Sky Ballet 00, a large leather hanging artwork, draws inspiration from her mother’s painting Leaping, capturing the turbulent storm while maintaining a balanced and tranquil horizon. Lake and Window uses leather in various tones, layers, and textures to create a shimmering morning mist over a lake and the interplay of light through a window, blending dynamic curves with static straight lines for a subtle aesthetic balance. Wang’s leather art displays her profound understanding of materials and her unique interpretation of natural beauty.
The exhibition will also present several significant representative works by Fu Yiyao, a renowned ink master from Japan. Fu, awarded “Chinese Light—Person of the Year for Cultural Dissemination,” is the daughter of the famous modern painter Fu Baoshi. Her works range from temple murals to traditional Japanese folk festivals, to reinterpretations of her father’s work, and the classic ukiyo-e prints. Among her most notable works are her rain and snow scenes, which capture layers of transparent rain and the essence of snowfall through innovative techniques like semi-automatic alum sprinkling.
From the world of the Golden Melody Award-winning lyricist Fang Wenshan, his artistic practice brings together traditional and modern elements, music and visual arts. His Punk Cat series cleverly integrates contemporary collectible designs into classical Western frames, blending old and new aesthetics. His Wenshan Flow combines elements like rusted frames and calligraphy, showcasing his free-spirited style and reflecting the passage of time.
Professor Su Xianfa, a leading figure in Taiwan’s contemporary art scene and president of the Taiwan Academy of Fine Arts, will present works from his Four Seasons series, illustrating his unending creative passion. His work, such as Ink Lotus Heart Reflection, merges Eastern ink concepts with Western abstract expression, transporting viewers into a serene, dreamlike lotus pond.
Dr. Tai Xiangzhou, a celebrated artist in both Europe and the US, will showcase his Bronze Ware series, including Zhou Ling’s Pot, which graced the cover of the 2024 September Sotheby’s New York auction catalog. Known for blending Song and Yuan dynasty painting techniques with modern cosmic elements, Tai continues to astound with his ink art. His works, such as Galaxy Observation I, II, III, combine traditional perspective with modern photographic viewpoints, exemplifying his philosophy. Tai’s works are highly regarded by tech giants like Yahoo’s Jerry Yang and Tesla’s Elon Musk, both of whom own his paintings.
Taiwan’s celebrated contemporary artist Zhu Youyi will showcase his Pine Tree Project series, including Journey to the Fairy Mountain, Knowing the Tiger Exists, and Wild Spring. Drawing inspiration from pine trees, beloved by scholars, Zhu integrates Eastern philosophical thoughts with contemporary artistic techniques, using bold ink strokes and oil paints to create vibrant, expressive visual languages.
Ji Baizhou, a rising star in the Taiwanese art world, will present his surrealist masterpieces, which blend animation, cinema, and classical art elements. His animated work Tower of Light has won 28 international awards and is used as educational material in multiple countries. The exhibition will also feature rare early concept designs for his fantasy animation Cloud Shadow Legend, along with other works that explore life and creative emotion, such as Light of Memory and The Surreal Sin.
The SUBLIMATION exhibition marks a new chapter for Christie’s St. James’s Gallery, as it is the first time the gallery has collaborated with a Taiwanese professional art institution to present contemporary Asian/Taiwanese art. These seven masters’ works will shine on one of the world’s most authoritative global art platforms, opening doors for Taiwanese art in the international top-tier art market and laying a foundation for the next generation of Taiwanese artists. Mo Hai Lou will use its greater international visibility to showcase its deep cultural heritage to the world.