Acrylic on canvas

51 × 40.5 cm. × 4 20 1/8 × 16 in. × 4

Signed in English and dated on bottom right of the bottom left piece

LITERATURE
2021, Nini: A Cloud Bay, Titan Publishing House, Taipei, p.107
2021, Benrei Huang, Eslite Corporation, Taipei, p.87
EXHIBITED
1-30 Dec 2018, Minority Rules, Eslite Gallery, Taipei

PROVENANCE
Eslite Gallery, Taipei
Acquired directly by present private Asian collector from the above

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by Taipei Eslite Gallery signed by the artist

The Brilliance of Moonlight, Orchestrating Music for the Soul

Huang Benrui's Medicine for the Soul Huang Benrei has devoted herself to the creation of picture books and illustrations for over 20 years. In the past decade, she has published a series of canvas works with the rabbit Nini as the main character. Through her work, Nini has healed countless viewers with gentle temperament and kind eyes. Works feature Nini is very popular among collectors. For this autumn auction, we present Huang's quadruplet Moon Variation (Lot 8) and her classic sculpture Nini (Lot 9). We invite viewers to follow them on a journey of healing.

The Golden Crow and the Jade Rabbit, Shining in Each Other's Company

Since ancient China, the rabbit has been associated with the moon. According to the legend, Chang'e transformed into a jade rabbit and lived in the moon palace. She was separated from her family on earth. During festivals, people would look at the moon and think of their relatives far away. In the quadruplet Moon Variation, Huang Benrei used a special format that is similar to four-frame comics to create a connection between the protagonist and the moon. In one panel, the protagonist Nini sits on golden autumn leaves for a nap with closed eyes. In another panel, Nini embraces the tranquillity of autumn as she gazes up to the sky. One panel shows the Nini cradled in a capsule resembling the shape of a full moon, roaming sweetly in dreamland. When she wakes up, she enjoys the different scenery of the world, and occasionally looks up to the moon. Looking for the way home while gazing up to the moon, she drills out of the ground and looks back mischievously in the direction of moonlight. Through Nini's every move and every smile, Huang fully incorporated all possible emotions known to Nini. No matter the intensity, moonlight is a precious display of positivity and beauty in life. After this work was completed in 2017, it was selected by Eslite Travel Hotel Taipei as the cover of the Mid-Autumn Mooncake Gift Box for the following year, adding value to the collectability of this work.

Gentle Company of the Purest of Heart

Nini is Huang Benrei's most classic sculpture. The work uses soft and skin-resembling flocking fabric as a medium, aligning with the pure and docile nature of Nini. The texture achieved with flocking fabric gives an impression of amiability, inviting people to confide their secrets to Nini. Nini's flickering eyes have the power to read people's minds, allowing a healing conversation with her genuineness and soft penetrating gaze. The work conveys a calm and peaceful outlook on life.

Price estimate:
HKD: 170,000 - 250,000
USD: 21,700 - 31,800

Auction Result:
HKD: 360,000