Planks of wood have been overlooked when serving as the medium of woodcut and normally are on display with the final works. While in the work of Wang Qibiao, wooden planks are definitely the center of stage.
Wood Manifestation
, his ongoing exhibition at Chinese Academy of Oil Painting, of Chinese National Academy of Arts, shows his exploration to turn planks into the subject of his art, aided by carving and layering ink to enrich the presentation of wood.
Running until Aug 15, the show navigates his course, since 2014, two years after his graduation from Central Academy of Fine Arts, of discover the aesthetics of wooden planks — the varying texture and color, the traces left by nature and time, and the possibilities of presentation as ink is absorbed deeply by the layers.
Curated by Hong Mei, the exhibition unfold to the audience a world of changes under the influence of nature and time, of familiarity and surprises.