Bronze, acrylic, and chemical colours sculpture

24.5 × 30.5 × 16 cm. 9 5/8 × 12 × 6 1/4 in.

Signed in Chinese and dated on the underside
EXHIBITED
7 Jun – 31 Jul 2019, Sight, HWA's Gallery, Shanghai
21 Aug – 9 Sep 2020, Precious Memories, XU Gallery, Shanghai

PROVENANCE
HWA's Gallery, Shanghai
Private Collection, Asia

Igniting the Soul's Canvas: Capturing Life's Every Brushstroke
Journey of the Soul: Celebrating the Enchanting Fairy Tale by He Juan

“I don't care other people's comments about my works, I am just trying to find that peace of my mind. I will usually try to paint some strange, empty, cold images, but I can't find it in my heart to treat my animals too cold, so I will add a little warmth and compassion to the strange and empty pictures. It looks like a synthesis of contradictions but indeed the truth I would like to tell.”
——He Juan

He Juan, born in Qinghai as a representative of the post-80s generation, emerged in the Chinese art scene since 2005. Graduating from the Oil Painting Department of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in 2007, she swiftly garnered recognition for her exceptional talent, catching the eye of Shanghai HWA's Gallery. Their collaboration has flourished ever since, with HWA's Gallery consistently hosting solo exhibitions and securing her presence in major art fairs. Her works have garnered esteemed collections by the Ho Family Foundation, Long Museum, and the Aurora Group, among others. Firm in her belief that “all things possess spirits,” she incorporates animals she has encountered into her artwork, infusing them with elements from Chinese culture such as auspicious clouds, fish scales, and peonies. Her brushwork is delicate, her lines supple, and her colours evoke a dreamlike warmth, endowing her subjects with vibrant personalities. The featured bronze sculpture, Snowy·Bunny is a testament to her artistic prowess and a beloved classic of her oeuvre.

Snowy·Bunny was born in 2019, during a period when He Juan experimented with new materials to achieve distinct textures and sparkling effects in her artwork. This piece exudes both delicate cuteness and intricate subtleties. The grey rabbit lowers its body in a crouching posture, curling up into a compact ball. Its limbs are concealed beneath its body, while its ears stand straight and erect. Its deep blue eyes, resembling tiny bronze bells, shine brightly, conveying a vigilant and poised expression. With its gaze fixed forward, this clever and perceptive creature slightly purses its lips, as if attentively observing its companions at play, relishing a moment of joy. He Juan employs a chemical colouring technique to present the rabbit's bluish-grey body, meticulously portraying the direction of its fur using intricate fine lines, each strand distinct and flowing. The slender eyelashes naturally cascade over its eyes, imbuing them with a sense of authenticity. The forelimbs are depicted with the flowing strokes of the Chinese “wave pattern,” rendering the fur smooth and supple. Additionally, the incorporation of carp scale patterns into the body seamlessly merges two unrelated species, akin to buds of flowers about to bloom, adding a touch of mischievous peculiarity that leaves a lasting impression.

Price estimate:
HKD 30,000 – 50,000
USD 3,800 – 6,400