Chen Wei: Fresh Dewdrop

Ota Fine Arts Singapore is delighted to present Fresh Dewdrop, Chen Wei's second solo exhibition in Singapore. Based in Beijing, Chen has been developing new photographic expressions as a leading figure from the new generation of artists in China. His works have been well-received globally, characterized with still life painting-like compositions, dazzling lights and allegorical narratives within. His recent solo exhibitions include The Club, Centre for Contemporary Photography, Melbourne (2017), Chen Wei: In the Waves, Chi K11 Art Museum, Shanghai (2015).

Chen is widely known for his photography works which involve staging images by assembling hand-made miniature models rather than by simply capturing scenes. This exhibition will feature 6 of Chen’s latest photographs, in addition to 3 sculpture works which are the artist’s recent exploration into 3-dimensional forms and LED light sculptures.

Chen utilizes different motifs found from his observation of urban landscapes in China and recreates the beauty within them. The work Fresh Dewdrop (2017), which shares the same title as this exhibition, shows such a scene where one of the tiles is missing from an old sidewalk. By chance, orange-coloured paint fills up the shape of the missing tile, appearing like a ray of light or an entrance into a blackhole.

The sculpture works made of LED boards are also based on Chen’s observation of the Chinese society. Nowadays, LED sign boards have become a common appliance for shop keepers. Many shops place one or more on the streets to attract passers-by, although Chen notices that many of these machines are faulty. He points out the contradiction that while these sign boards are meant to convey messages, people hardly notice their content and they simply become a part of the ordinary scenery in China.

Waves of light appear on the screen with varying brightness: sometimes weak lights create gradations for a while, and other times strong lights appear as if it brightens up the room. This rhythmical change reflects Chen's high sensitivity for music, and also makes viewers feel as if they resemble heartbeats of a living form.

The Chinese society is undergoing tremendous changes. Chen observes the sceneries and emotions of floating generations in the society, but he does not simply judge them as right or wrong. Rather, he chooses to recreate the beauty hidden within. We hope to showcase Chen's latest expressions through this exhibition.