China News Service, Shanghai, April 8 (Reporter Wang Ji) The development and construction of Shanghai's North Bund has "taken full swing", and a large number of existing historical buildings have attracted attention. On April 8, Shanghai Huamao Center held artist Huang Wei's solo exhibition "Hardening" in the renovated space of the former "Star Perfume Factory", which is open to the public by appointment.
Exhibition "Huang Wei: Hardening". Photo courtesy of Shanghai Huamao Center
In 1907, Zhou Bangjun, a pharmacist at Shanghai Zhongxi Pharmacy, prepared a new type of toilet water with reference to the "Chinese Pharmacopoeia". Around 1929, Zhou Bangjun's eldest daughter Zhou Wenji took over and opened the "Star Perfume and Soap Factory" here. "Star Toilet Water" was its star product and was once known as "Oriental Chanel".
The relevant person in charge of Shanghai Huamao Center said, "In the spirit of being 'responsible to the city, to society, and to history', we repaired and refined the interior of this historical building, and used flat steel hoop welding to reinforce cracks. From slag cleaning, alkali removal, powder adjustment to jointing, we use 'embroidery needle work' to repair the brick wall and do our best to keep it in its original state while assuming new urban functions."
Exhibition "Huang Wei: Hardening". Photo courtesy of Shanghai Huamao Center
The exhibition "Huang Wei: Forging" is held in the art space on the second floor of the building. After graduating from the Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, artist Huang Wei went to Tibet University for further studies. He spent a lot of time studying the unique "point-dyeing" technique in Tibetan thangkas, integrating it with the Han calligraphy and painting tradition he had studied since childhood, and using contemporary concepts to create a new world. Unique creative approach. Among the 18 works on display this time, a considerable number belong to the artist's "Jianjin" series of creations.
"The refined is used to sharpen the stone, and the rough is used to sharpen the stone. Artists regard creation as a path to temper themselves and open up the inner spiritual landscape." The person in charge of Daigo Art, the curatorial team, said that this exhibition in the North Bund is the artist's first in recent years. This is the most complete collection of recent works. The deep blue color throughout the exhibition also contrasts with the hundreds of competing rivers outside the "World Living Room".
It is reported that the exhibition "Huang Wei: Hardening" will last until May 21. (over)