Oil on canvas

120×100 cm. 47 1/4×39 3/8 in.

Titled in Chinese, signed in Chinese and English, dated on the reverse
EXHIBITED
1 Jul – 5 Aug 2023, Voice Before the Performance - Yan Zhancheng Solo Exhibition, Soka Art Centre, Beijing

PROVENANCE
Soka Art Centre, Beijing
Important Private Collection, Asia

Geometric Dreams, Human Gleams
The Aesthetics of Yan Zhancheng

Yan Zhancheng, a post-80s contemporary Chinese artist from Yan'an, became a professional artist after graduating from the Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts in 2008. His work, marked by concise strokes and rich colours, delves into the complexities of humanity, culture, and emotion in contemporary society. Bridging primitivism and modern art, Yan offers a fresh perspective on existential questions. His exhibitions in Beijing, Taipei, and Shanghai have garnered significant acclaim from collectors.

Geometry and Hue, a Silent View

Created in 2023, Blue Headband is a signature portrait by Yan Zhancheng. A young woman stands at the centre, draped in a vibrant blue headband, her form rendered with a Cubist geometric style. With eyes gently closed, she seems lost in thought. The angular depiction of her face creates an abstract, three-dimensional visual impact. The warm yellow of her robe contrasts sharply with the cool blue of her headband, each element of the composition standing independently while contributing to a narrative flow, imbuing stillness with inner rhythm.

Time and Space, a Haunting Trace

The woman's image evokes an ancient statue or a dreamlike apparition, blending the feelings of time and space. Her serene posture hints at hidden strength, suggesting untold stories beneath the surface. This portrait pays homage to classical art, recalling Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. However, Yan deconstructs traditional portraiture through Cubist geometry and contrasts of light and shadow, placing his subject in a multi-dimensional perspective, and exploring the complexities of time, space, and emotion.

In Yan's canvas, time and space engage in a silent dialogue. Geometric shapes act like mirrors, reflecting the intricacies of human nature. The still figure is more than a collection of shapes and lines; she is a poem frozen in time, brimming with untold tales. Yan's art is like a river flowing deep into the soul, traversing modern and ancient, calm and turbulent, ultimately reaching the deepest corners of our perception, evoking a profound resonance.

Price estimate:
HKD 60,000 – 80,000
USD 7,700 – 10,300

Auction Result:
HKD: 216,000