“We might not all speak the same language, but we all read flowers.”
Born in 1962 in the Sichuan Province of China, Zhuang Hong-yi is one of China's most influential contemporary artists. His precise floral motifs both reflect his Chinese background and integrate a Western allure with the flower being a universal symbol for prosperity and peace. The origin of deep inspiration by the blossoming of nature can be pinpointed to the moment Zhuang first flew across the famous tulip fields embedded in the Dutch landscapes; an inspiration that finds itself at the core of Zhuang's artworks to this day His signature style flowerbed pieces are a true expression of his love for colours and creativity. The rice-paper flowers are printed in a traditional technique that originates in northern China and they become robust as they are individually cut and covered in colour. With the utmost patience and handicraft, the rice-paper flowers are skilfully folded into their signature tulip or lotus shape and planted into the flowerbed one at a time. In the execution of these intricate steps and unique technique combinations, Zhuang is supported by his experienced team who follow his creative lead. The pieces are then finished by a final layer of colour combinations which turn the flowerbeds into an individual and ever-changing experience that flows with the viewers' perspective: Zhuang Hong-yi's renowned colour-changing effect.
On another spectrum, Zhuang implements a more traditional painterly approach through his Landscape works that bear influence of Impressionism and other Euro-American artistic practices. Strongly guided by present emotions, he applies splashes of acrylic in heavily gestural impasto and various materials in a freedom of style. Colours melting together and paint dripping down that captures the Artist's creative sense make the canvas blossom under the eye.
Zhuang Hong-yi has been the subject of multiple museum exhibitions and his work is held in numerous esteemed public and private collections. With over a hundred exhibitions throughout his career over the past decades, Zhuang continuously seeks to transmit positive emotions and foster a space for genuine expression and connection, curiosity, and re-enchantment. At every piece's core, flowers represent a natural link, that brings us all together.
