Contrasts Gallery is pleased to announce Chinese artist Xue Tao’s first solo exhibition.
The show will present a collection of works entirely made of newspaper and metal wire - constructions that include abstract sculptures and both functional and non-functional design items. His choice of newspaper as a medium for his creative work is reminiscent of the 1962-1972 European movement known as ‘Arte Povera’ for its rejection of the ‘traditional’ noble artistic media in favour of everyday materials.
From his 2006 series of chairs, some have been chosen to travel to Design Miami/ 2006 and some have been shown in Contrasts Gallery’s group exhibitions in Shanghai.
Xue Tao was born in 1975 in Yunnan and graduated from the Art Department of the University of Suzhou in 1998. The sculptor began experimenting with newspaper in 2000. Newspaper is the source of information on all aspects of human life and society, as well as a vehicle for propaganda and an embodiment of history. Xue Tao is fascinated by this; for him, a person who is completely unaware of the philosophy of Arte Povera, the use of this everyday material is a means to preserve history. He says: “Perhaps, one day someone will have the urge to unravel the mystery contained in one of my works and by doing that, it will be like discovering a chapter of the world’s life, like opening a long forgotten treasure chest.”
Xue Tao's work ‘Chair 7’, shown at Design Miami/ 2006, has been acquired as part of the collection of the Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, Germany.
The artist will also be participating in the exhibition ‘CHINA POWER STATION II’, this year at the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, Oslo, Norway, organised in collaboration with the Serpentine Gallery, London, UK.
Media sponsors West East Magazine have commissioned in April 2007 two pieces by Xue Tao, one on the theme of ‘East’ and one on the theme of ‘West’.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue and a catalogue essay by distinguished New York art critic, Lilly Wei.
For further in formation, images, or invitations, please refer to www.contrastsgallery.com or contact Moxian Sun at +86 1381 731 4435 or moxian@contrastsgallery.com
