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Red, white and huge
(China Daily)
Updated: 2007-09-21 08:15

American artist Julian Schnabel brings an astonishing collection of more
than 30 works of breathtaking size to Beijing. Visitors can expect to be
overwhelmed by the huge dimensions of the oil paintings, the strong color
scheme used, and their groundbreaking form overall.

This exhibition, by one of the most important and influential
contemporary artists in the Western world, is drawn from Schnabel's
personal collections created over the past 25 years.

A leading core member of the school of contemporary neo-behaviorism,
Schnabel might not be in focus for most art-savvy Chinese. Nevertheless,
he is known in the international movie circle for his success as a
filmmaker in recent years. His French movie The Diving Bell and the
Butterfly won him the best director prize in the 2007 Cannes Film
Festival, and will be screened this autumn. But despite his fame in the
film circle, Schnabel has always recognized himself first as a painter.

Schnabel's most distinguished feature is his ingenuity and multi-talent
imbued with his personal and emotional characteristics. His artworks
cover such a wide range of media, including oil painting, sculpture,
etching and photography. He uses many kinds of materials, such as oil,
ink, resin, gesso, wax, cotton, velvet and porcelain. He executes many
styles including abstract and realistic, spontaneous and meticulous,
modern and classic. Both gorgeous color scheme and simple black and white
make up his creations.

The most eye-catching works of the show are two plate paintings with
portrait images. With smashed pieces of porcelain plates as the main
material, Schnabel pasted them on the canvas in a version of spontaneous
collage. Then he submits oil on the uneven surface, with some natural
patterns on the plates being uncovered. The smashed pieces reflect the
light from different directions, producing the effects of space, layering
and three-dimensions.

The execution of resin and wax on the finished oil paintings is his other
innovation. The splashed effect produces a thick layer of glossy cover,
and the natural trace of the resin formed during the drying procedure
falls with its own modeling.

Schnabel seems never to stop his attempts in the art circle and he moves
in different directions, trying to push the boundaries and forever
changing in style.

Text by Wu Liping and photo by Jiang Dong

9am-5pm. Beijing World Art Museum, China Millennium Monument, A9
Fuxinglu, Haidian District. 6851-3322. 中华世纪坛世界艺术馆,
海淀区复兴路甲9号

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