Acrylic on ceramic sculpture Edition: 3/5

43×43×19.5 cm. 16 7/8×16 7/8×7 5/8 in.

Dated, signed in pinyin, and numbered on the underside
PROVENANCE
HWA'S Gallery, Shanghai
Acquired directly by present important private Asian collector from the above

A Lifetime Declaration of Strength and Softness
He Juan's Fantastical Rabbit-Deer

"I love all beautiful things, so my creations are projections of my inner self and my perception of the beauty of nature and life."
——He Juan

For the post-80s artist He Juan, the essence of her work lies in the perfect balance of conciseness and intricacy, flexibility and purity, innocence and romance. Born in Qinghai and graduated from the Oil Painting Department of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute in 2007, He Juan has crafted a utopia that blends mythology, imagination, anthropomorphic animals, and spirits in her work. Since her graduation, she has been recognized and collaborated with Shanghai HWA'S Gallery, showcasing her art in prestigious institutions such as the Long Museum, Dr. Stanley Ho Foundation, and Aurora Group. Her pieces have been exhibited in major art fairs across Miami, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, and Shanghai.

The piece featured in this auction, Rabbit-Deer Fantastical Antlers No.3, completed in 2012, combines the characteristics of rabbits and deer, creating an imaginative new sprite. The rabbit, with its large eyes, is a classic form that He Juan has depicted since 2008. Having raised rabbits, she possesses a keen observational insight into animals. This work highlights an adorably rotund white rabbit, intentionally retaining its unique features-its lack of a upper lip and prominent incisors-while sprouting a pair of upright deer antlers, resulting in a fantastical creature of unique tension.

In this sculptural artwork, He Juan integrates traditional meticulous techniques, using delicate lines to depict the rabbit's soft fur. The rabbit's large black eyes, composed of countless dots, infuse the artwork with a life force that expands infinitely, reminiscent of cells. He Juan candidly admits that she sometimes explores strange, empty, and cold atmospheres in her art, yet she infuses them with warmth, creating a synthesis of contradictions. This reflects her reality as a recent graduate-her slight confusion about the future and her aspirations for self-discovery, embodying both softness and resilience.

Price estimate:
HKD: 45,000 - 65,000
USD 5,800 - 8,300