Black and White Cats by Huang Rui and Wang Keping, a duo exhibition.
Chinese Artist Huang Rui presents a performance-based art work entitled Black and White Cats 49,Then? Inspired by the slogan by Deng Xiaoping, “It doesn’t matter if a cat is black or white as long as it catches mice.” Huang Rui’s live action painting that is 15 meters long and 4 meters tall was made by painting the bodies of 7 women and imprinting their bodies 49 times on the canvas. The painting is divided into 50 sections. The painting represents the colors black and white to signify the Yin and Yang. The numbers have significance: 7 times 7 is 49. China was established in 1949. 49 further is an important number in Buddhism as it is said that when one dies it takes 49 days for rebirth. The Buddha, Siddhātthacontemplated for 49 days before reaching enlightenment. Hong Kong is now in the 17th year since the Handover from the British. Deng Xiaoping created the slogan: “One Country Two Systems, 50 years Unchanged.” While a third of the 50 years has been completed the One Country Two Systems idea has already been challenged. Huang Rui’s performance asks what comes after 49?
Wang Keping joins fellow Stars (XING XING) group founder Huang Rui in Black and White Cats. Wang Keping’s sculptures combines the natural elements of wood with the flowing forms of figuration and lastly singes them until they are dark as chocolate. Wang Keping’s work strives towards simplicity and balance of forms. These two artists were part of the drive for artistic freedom in China when they organized the Stars (XING XING) exhibition in Beijing 35 years ago. This will be the first time that the two leading Stars artists will exhibit together in a duo show in Hong Kong.
