Brush and ink in hand, Kiki Smith and seven other contemporary artists shed light on today’s issues in a group exhibition at San Francisco’s Chinese Culture Foundation
SAN FRANCISCO, January 24, 2013 — Coloring far outside the lines of traditional ink-wash painting, works by eight equally diverse contemporary artists explode the once-staid genre in The Moment for Ink, an exhibition opening on February 23 at the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco.
The featured works at the Chinese Culture Center prove that—despite the name on the gallery’s door—ink isn’t just for Chinese (or even East Asian) artists. “Ink can be found throughout the world,” says exhibition co-curator and CCF artistic director Abby Chen. “Why is it, then, that this ubiquitous material, when used as an artistic medium, immediately conjures up images of traditional Chinese art? These talented artists are a perfect example of what we stand to lose,” Chen says, “if we do not open up the dialogue on ink as a non-ethnic medium. We must break the cycle. It’s imperative that we continue to introduce and cultivate ink painting that isn’t necessarily influenced by Chinese culture or tradition if we wish this art to remain truly innovative, and truly contemporary".
Moment for Ink spans 120 years of Ink Painting in America. Four venues showcase nearly 50 artists. CCCArts Gallery features Artists Nancy Chan, Toyin Odutola, Kiki Smith, Jonathan Wallraven, Xiaoze, Xe, Daqian Zhang, Hong Zhang, Yueying Zhong.
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Co-organized by CCCArts of the Chinese Culture Foundation and SF State Fine Arts Gallery. In Association with the Asian Art Museum and the Silicon Valley Asian Art Center.
