Zhuang Hong Yi’s floral hybrids evince an artist with genuine sensibility - the painstaking process of folded origami rice-paper layered with acrylic and oil paint belies an almost ascetic level of discipline. Hong Yi’s canvases blossom under the eye: appearing to move and thrive with the viewer, a beautifully defiant natural symbol in the face of aggressive global urbanisation.
Zhuang Hong Yi is one of China’s most influential artists. Characterised by a daringly-bold colour palette, Hong Yi's sophisticated, repetitive and precise floral motifs reflect both his Chinese background and integrate a Western allure.
The leitmotif of the vibrant flower links Hong Yi’s cultural environments: he moved to the Netherlands in the 1990’s and became fascinated by the tulip mania that gripped the country in the 17th Century. Conversely, in China, flowers symbolically represent growth, fulfilment and prosperity, as well as manifesting good chi. Recurrent in Hong Yi’s work are the lucky chrysanthemum and lotus flowers, signifiers of metaphysical purity and strength. Hong Yi's floral motif reflects his environmental concerns, these include the rampant urbanisation in China, the ferocious plundering of natural resources and the depopulation of rural Chinese communities.
Zhuang Hong Yi has a broad international following across Europe and Asia. His floral works are included in various private and museum collections including the Museum of Sichuan Fine Art in China and the Groninger and Stadsmuseum Zoetermeer in the Netherlands.
Installation views: Earth, 2019, Unit London. Image courtesy of Unit London.
Installation views: Earth, 2019, Unit London. Image courtesy of Unit London.
Installation views: Earth, 2019, Unit London. Image courtesy of Unit London.
Installation views: Raw, 2017, Unit London. Image courtesy of Unit London.
Installation views: Earth, 2019, Unit London. Image courtesy of Unit London.
Installation views: Earth, 2019, Unit London. Image courtesy of Unit London.
Installation views: Raw, 2017, Unit London. Image courtesy of Unit London.
Installation views: Earth, 2019, Unit London. Image courtesy of Unit London.
WORKS
Works
STUDIO
In the studio with Zhuang Hong Yi | 2019
