Made in China 2 Exhibition
There are many things that keep drawing me back to China, in particular to Beijing. In the ten years that have passed since my first visit, I have witnessed breathtaking transformation of this city of now nearly 20 million people. While the 2008 Olympics were an opportunity to modernise the city in terms of many new buildings and massive infrastructure projects, it also provided a chance to polish and showcase historical sites, and to boost the profile of traditional Chinese culture, especially in the arts.
This body of work was produced during the early part of 2009 when I participated in my third artist-in-residency program with Red Gate Gallery, Beijing. The paintings in this exhibition reflect my continuing interest in and response to the layering of the vast, complex urban environment of Beijing.
This northern Chinese city is situated on the edge of a desert, and, like my home town, Melbourne, suffers major water shortages. In spite of weather systems arriving from Siberia, snow is now a rare event in Beijing’s winter, so the city remains grey, dusty and devoid of color for nearly five months. Until spring bursts into view in the first week of April, color in the city comes from neon lights, advertising hoardings and peoples’ clothing.
In terms of painting, my attraction to strong hues is driven in part by my immersion in such a bleached and arid physical environment. The colorlessness of the surrounds belies the richness and vibrancy of Beijing life.
This series of paintings continue my exploration of the nature of paint itself. I have used an innovative technique devised on a previous Red Gate Gallery residency; that of manipulating Chinese ink suspended in acrylic varnish to create intricate layers and a sensation of depth.
The impact life in China has had on my work will no doubt be present for years to come, so powerful is the exposure to such an extraordinary source of inspiration.
Anne Hastie
May 2009