Acrylic on paper

41×29.5cm. 16 1/8×11 5/8 in.

Signed in Chinese and dated on bottom right; titled in Chinese on the reverse
PROVENANCE
Previous Collection of Tan Xiaohui
Soka Art Centre, Beijing
Acquire directly by present Asian collector from the above

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by Soka Art Centre, Beijing signed by the artist

Note： A seal from Tan Xiaohui Collection is stamped on the reverse

Unravelling the Nature of Things, Mirroring the Presence of the Self
The Underlying Meditations in Leng Jun's Early Masterpiece Spoon

In contemporary artistic industry of China, Leng Jun is undeniably the crème de la crème of Contemporary Hyperrealism Painting genre. Having graduated at the Wuhan Normal College Department of Fine Arts, Leng has spent numerous years in perfecting his signature technique of ultra-fine strokes depicting microscopic details, which has amazed many critics. His works do not only convey the mentality of obtaining deeper meanings behind through observing and examining objects, but also embeds profound reflections on life. His works have been collected by many art institutions across China and is also adored by the founder of Alibaba Group – Jack Ma. Leng's outstanding performance in the art market has been believed to be unmatched. For instance, his work Xiaojiang created in 2011 is a hyperrealistic portrait of a lady in a green sweater and is sold for an impressive 70.15 million RMB. Till this day, the painting remains one of the highest auctioned artworks in the art market of China.

Attentive Observations of Fine Details Tranquilly Transform into Verses of Poetry

Spoon embodies Leng's attentive observations of fine details, which he manages to tranquilly transform into verses of poetry and depicts it through the concept of the painting. The artwork portrays deliberately deformed spoons, staggered forks, and scattered sharp nails. The objects seem to be communicating with one another as if the congregation is a conventional intersection. However, under this seemingly reasonable intersection is a surreal and artificial arrangement of objects, metaphorically representing the superficially harmonious but brutally chaotic society. The solid black-color background resembles a dark night sky. The objects are like the galaxy, bright, though far, and could immediately be seen as one raises one's head toward the dark night sky.

Leng employs simple contrasting colors to successfully create a cold and fierce atmosphere and emphasize the inner nature of the objects, further accentuating the deeper meanings of their existences. Through his techniques, Leng abolishes the perfectionistic margins of traditional still life painting and encourages an extensive variety of creative interpretations that are beyond the frame of the artwork.

Besides the astonishing techniques of Leng's artistry, the concept of the painting is equally, if not, superiorly fascinating. The manifestation of the artist's restrained yet comprehensive artistic language is transformed into a concise concept, which directly reveals the core interpretation and vision of the painting. His musings are encapsulated in Spoon, which persistently inspires the beholder.

Price estimate:
HKD: 280,000 - 350,000
USD: 36,000 - 45,000

Auction Result:
HKD: 360,000