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past exhibitions
past exhibitions
twocities is one of the few galleries in China that specializes in contemporary three-dimensional art. Our gallery represents Chinese artists pioneering in glass, metal, ceramic, and wood and lacquer. The glass artists we work with are considered the first generation of contemporary glass artists in China. Most of these artists come from academic backgrounds, studying and teaching fine arts at schools such as Shanghai University, Nanjing Art Institute, and the Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute.

Artists represented include glass artist Zhuang Xiao Wei, ceramics artist Chen Guang Hui, and jewelry artist Guo Xin.

Sunday, August 8, 2010 to Saturday, August 28, 2010
‘Three Ceramic Sisters’: Exhibit at Duolum Museum of Contemporary Art
Ceramic divas Kang Qing, Zhang Jing Jing and Xie Mingjuan collaborate for an exhibition sponsored by twocities and

Three Ceramic Sisters   Three Ceramic Sisters   Three Ceramic Sisters   Three Ceramic Sisters
Three Ceramic Sisters   Three Ceramic Sisters


Saturday, May 22, 2010 to Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Time Doth Swiftly Fly: Dialogue of Clay and Sumi-e
Chen Jiu and Jackson Li’'s Duo Exhibition

Time Doth Swiftly Fly is the first joint exhibition featuring Chinese ink painter Chen Jiu and ceramic artist Li Jian Shen (Jackson Li). Chen Jiu’s works are born of water, and his sumi-e (ink and wash) paintings represent an intellectual, scholarly approach to art. Jackson’s stoneware sculptures are born of fire, rough and visceral — the art of the people. Both artists make the past palpable in their works, combining the spiritual and the material to honor the richness of Chinese heritage.

2010年5月22日—2010年7月7日
似水流年:陶与水墨
陈九·李见深双人展

“似水流年”是水墨画家陈九与陶艺家李见深的第一次联合展览。陈九的水墨如流水般细腻,传承了古代文人墨客对艺术的品味与赏玩;李见深的雕塑作品则犹如历经烈火的洗礼般粗旷而又富于内在张力,代表了民间平实质朴的艺术追求。他们的作品将浮际于脑中的历史与文化情结展现在观者眼前,将形而上与形而下结合得相得益彰,为中华灿烂的文化遗产献上一曲赞歌。

Time Doth Swiftly Fly   Time Doth Swiftly Fly   Time Doth Swiftly Fly   Time Doth Swiftly Fly
Time Doth Swiftly Fly   Time Doth Swiftly Fly   Time Doth Swiftly Fly   Time Doth Swiftly Fly
Time Doth Swiftly Fly   Time Doth Swiftly Fly
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Saturday, March 13 to Saturday, May 18
Foundation: Spring Show 2010

Group exhibition featuring works of beauty and function from the mediums of ceramic, glass and lacquer. Contemporary Chinese artists featured include Chen Jiu, Dai Yuxiang and Zhuang Xiaowei.

Ceramic: Chen Jiu, Jackson Lee and Dai Yuxiang

Glass: Zhuang Xiaowei, Cheng Xiang, Wang Qin, Luo Xiaoshu, Wu Ouhong, Yang Meihua and Chen Pengfei

Lacquer paintings: Cheng Xiangjun, Jin Hui and Kou Yan

Foundation: Spring Show 2010    Foundation: Spring Show 2010    Foundation: Spring Show 2010    Foundation: Spring Show 2010
Foundation: Spring Show 2010     Foundation: Spring Show 2010    Foundation: Spring Show 2010    Foundation: Spring Show 2010
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Friday, January 8 to Wednesday, March 10
“Drink for Life”: Concert + Photography Exhibition

“Drink for Life” is a multidisciplinary art exhibition combining fine art photography and original pop and classical music inspired by a single topic: water.

Water is the source of life. It is a building block for all living things and a necessary resource in the development of civilizations. When water is contaminated or in short supply, life hangs in balance.

In its pure and basic form, water is mysterious and beautiful, a source of inspiration for creative expression. “Drink for Life” focuses on water’s elemental nature and our dependence on it while exploring metaphors for survival, sustainability and community.

“Drink for Life” is a collaboration between one artist and two musicians, fusing together three creative interpretations to produce one unified artistic expression.

ABOUT THE WORK in “Drink for Life”:
Photography: American photographer Mark Most’s work captures water in raw and intimate shots. As water is splashed, tossed and disturbed, Mark captures it, freezes it in time and creates images in the style of abstract paintings. These photos are emotional and evocative in their minimalist style.

Music: American musicians Ron Kent and Stephen Burks composed, arranged and perform all original music in this project. Inspired by the singer-songwriter traditions of Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Steve Earle, the music in “Drink for Life” also incorporates a string quartet to create a fresh and innovative sound.

“Drink for Life”: Concert + Photography Exhibition    “Drink for Life”: Concert + Photography Exhibition    “Drink for Life”: Concert + Photography Exhibition    “Drink for Life”: Concert + Photography Exhibition    “Drink for Life”: Concert + Photography Exhibition
“Drink for Life”: Concert + Photography Exhibition    “Drink for Life”: Concert + Photography Exhibition    “Drink for Life”: Concert + Photography Exhibition    “Drink for Life”: Concert + Photography Exhibition    “Drink for Life”: Concert + Photography Exhibition
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November 21 to December 31
“From Day to Day”
Jackson Lee’s New Mingei: Pottery of the People
Jackson Lee’s newest solo exhibition celebrates “pottery of the people” in mingei (folk arts). These wares of beauty and utility reconnect us with the role that handcrafted art plays in the rhythms of our daily life.

Jackson Lee received an MFA from Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute and one from Alfred University, USA. His works have been exhibited internationally and he is also an award-winning documentary filmmaker. Lee is the co-founder of Sanbao, a ceramic art institute in Jingdezhen, Jianxi province.

This is Jackson’s second solo exhibition at twocities gallery.

From Day to Day. Jackson Lee’s New Mingei: Pottery of the People       From Day to Day. Jackson Lee’s New Mingei: Pottery of the People       From Day to Day. Jackson Lee’s New Mingei: Pottery of the People
From Day to Day. Jackson Lee’s New Mingei: Pottery of the People       From Day to Day. Jackson Lee’s New Mingei: Pottery of the People       From Day to Day. Jackson Lee’s New Mingei: Pottery of the People
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October 31 to November 17
Young Glass: Contemporary Chinese Glass Art
“Young Glass” features the work of 11 young Chinese artists at the forefront of China’s studio glass movement. These works of cast-glass are bold, innovative, and representative of concepts and techniques shaping the future of contemporary glass art in China.

Young Glass: Contemporary Chinese Glass Art      Young Glass: Contemporary Chinese Glass Art      Young Glass: Contemporary Chinese Glass Art
Young Glass: Contemporary Chinese Glass Art      Young Glass: Contemporary Chinese Glass Art      Young Glass: Contemporary Chinese Glass Art
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September 26 to October 25
Adorn: Wearable Art & Non-Functional Jewelry
Traditionally viewed as status symbols and beauty accessories, jewelry has moved beyond mere decoration and now straddles the line between fine art and design. These contemporary jewelry artists employ non-traditional materials to create works that demonstrate technical excellence and imaginative aesthetics.

‘Adorn: Wearable Art & Non-Functional Jewelry’ features the work of 10 emerging Chinese and international artists in the field of contemporary jewelry.

Adorn: Wearable Art and Non-Functional Jewelry   Adorn: Wearable Art and Non-Functional Jewelry   Adorn: Wearable Art and Non-Functional Jewelry   Adorn: Wearable Art and Non-Functional Jewelry
Adorn: Wearable Art and Non-Functional Jewelry   Adorn: Wearable Art and Non-Functional Jewelry   Adorn: Wearable Art and Non-Functional Jewelry   Adorn: Wearable Art and Non-Functional Jewelry
Adorn: Wearable Art and Non-Functional Jewelry   Adorn: Wearable Art and Non-Functional Jewelry   Adorn: Wearable Art and Non-Functional Jewelry   Adorn: Wearable Art and Non-Functional Jewelry
Adorn: Wearable Art and Non-Functional Jewelry   Adorn: Wearable Art and Non-Functional Jewelry   Adorn: Wearable Art and Non-Functional Jewelry   Adorn: Wearable Art and Non-Functional Jewelry
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August 29 – September 20
Hand in Hand
Lacquer painting is a laborious process: preparing just the canvas requires layers of lacquer and linen cloths applied to plywood. Lacquer artists meticulously incorporate tree sap, egg shells, dyes and minerals, blending natural and sometimes artificial materials to capture aesthetic visions.

hand in hand  hand in hand  hand in hand  hand in hand
hand in hand  hand in hand  hand in hand  hand in hand

‘Hand in Hand’ features six young artists committed to reviving this ancient art form. They are both bearers of tradition and pioneers of new concepts and techniques.
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July 3 – August 25
Foundation: Summer Show
Modern society values efficiency and results: we chart success by numbers and profit through mass production. The tradition of craft art seems an anomaly but is actually as essential as ever. The legacy shared by craft artisans, the artist’s connection with his material, interaction between audience and the finished craft artwork—these relationships sustain a heritage that would otherwise be lost. The process of handcrafted art requires patience, time, intuition and an attunement with the materials being used. There is an earthy element to the process—utilizing materials composed of fire, wood, water, metal and earth—yet what is created is transcendental, touching at the very heart of what it means to be human.

summer show  summer show  summer show  summer show  summer show

Foundation: Summer Show features artists representing the emergent world of contemporary functional art in China. Some utilize ancient techniques contextualized in our modern times; others experiment with new methods using traditional materials and themes. The result is beauty that harks back to ‘what was’ yet presses on and beckons ‘what is to come.’
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May 16 – June 30, 2009
Form & Function: Ceramics Group Exhibition
form and function  form and function  form and function  form and function
form and function  form and function  form and function  form and function
Six young ceramic artists explore the intersection of aesthetics and utility in their collection of functional ceramic ware. Cups, plates and bowls are intertwined in our daily lives but the significance they hold extends beyond containers for food and water. These vessels define our way of life and appreciation of beauty, a marriage of form and function. The exhibiting five Chinese artists and one American artist represent the growing contemporary handcrafted arts movement in China, a movement that draws on tradition as much as it expands the vision of modern design and fine art.

Exhibiting artists: Li Suyi, Han Yunfei, Kang Yang, Li Qiang, Wang Hao, Derek Au
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April 18 – May 10, 2009
Cheng Xiangjun: Solo Exhibition

cheng xiangjun  cheng xiangjun  cheng xiangjun  cheng xiangjun  cheng xiangjun

Cheng Xiangjun is a well-renowned lacquer painter who employs techniques of oil painting while pushing the tradition of lacquer art in his work. In a style that echoes abstract expressionism, Cheng’s art breaks the conventional mold of lacquer paintings, employing abstract images, geometric shapes and colors that layer and leap from the wood canvas. This solo exhibit features paintings from his series entitled “Tibet Impression”. In this body of work, Cheng explores the mystical, philosophical and religious through symbols, colors and the aesthetic qualities of lacquer.
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March 7 – April 12, 2009
Foundation: Spring Show
The twocities gallery’s Foundation: Spring Show explores and celebrates the work of three young talented Chinese glass artists. Cheng Xiang, Fan Min and Yang Meihua represent the growing group of artists involved with the contemporary glass movement in China.

foundation spring  foundation spring  foundation spring  foundation spring

Cheng Xiang explores color in her work, using the inherent characteristics of glass in optical playfulness. Her use of colors and composition in glass draws the viewer deeper into the object itself.

Fan Min is a glass sculptor, shaping and forming glass to capture movement. His works are bold and commanding, some reaching up to 1.5 meters in height, yet still embodying a sense of ethereal grace.

Yang Meihua delves into the idea of non-conformity in her works, utilizing the transparency nature of glass as a canvas to depict inner tensions and the complexity of relationships.
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December 20 – February 28, 2009
Foundation: Winter Show
foundation

Fire, wood, water, metal and earth are the fundamental ingredients in the creative process of handcrafted art. These basic elements mix and intermingle to create glass pieces, ceramics, paper art, sculptures and jewelry. They are also the foundational elements in traditional Chinese philosophy, possessing the ability to describe all interactions and relationships in the physical and metaphysical worlds. Chinese artists working in handcrafted art draw from these foundations to create a new world. In the exhibit Foundation, we are invited to examine their works and explore their traditions and heritage as well as the new future they are building.

foundation

Foundation: Winter Show features artists representing the emergent world of contemporary functional art in China. Some utilize ancient techniques contextualized in our modern times; others experiment with new methods using traditional materials and themes. The result is beauty that harks back to ‘what was’ yet presses on and beckons ‘what is to come.’

foundation
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November 15 – December 18, 2008
Preservation / Transformation, Lacquer Group Invitational 2008
This group exhibit features seventeen artists who uphold the tradition of lacquer painting while pushing the medium and the artform beyond conventional borders. Their works preserve the essence of Chinese heritage and express post-modern sensibilities with bold results.
Opening reception is Saturday, November 15, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
Preservation / Transformation runs until December 18.
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October 4 – November 11, 2008
Li Jian Shen: Solo Ceramics Exhibit
li jian shen

Li Jian Shen (Jackson Lee) is a ceramics artist who breathes life and passion into his works of clay. Clean and delicate in form and design, his works express beauty and vulnerability while invoking a romantic longing reminiscent of Tang and Sung poetry.
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August 30 – September 30, 2008
Elemental: Contemporary Sculptural Art, Mixed Media
Group exhibit featuring emerging artists working in ceramics and glass. Artists hail from fine arts schools in China and include young glass artists Wang Qin, Xue Lv and Cheng Xiang.
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May 17 – August 30, 2008
Qiao Shi Guang: A Retrospective
Solo exhibit featuring wood and lacquer artwork by Qiao Shi Guang, considered the father of the modern wood and lacquer art movement in China.
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April 19 – May 13, 2008
chee hwa, chee yee
National invitational featuring wood and lacquer artwork from China’s fine arts colleges. Artworks include lacquer paintings, sculptures and ornamental boxes created by fine arts university students.
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April 1 – 15, 2008
4 Step Snake
4 step snake

Collaborative ceramics exhibit featuring two Dutch artists, Adriaan Rees and Hans van Bentem, and two Chinese artists, Chen Guanghui and Wan Liya. This exhibit was sponsored by the Dutch Consulate and the Netherlands China Arts Foundation.
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March 22 – 30, 2008
My Shanghai: Migrant students’ photography
my shanghai

Exhibit featuring works taken by sixth grade students from a school for migrant children.
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