'VisibleInvisible III' seeks to explain contemporary Chinese abstract art

VisibleInvisible III at the Hongkun Museum of Fine Art Photo: Courtesy of Hongkun Museum of Fine Art

Hard to grasp for most people, abstract art in China seems more prone to neglect compared to other forms of art. After curating two serial exhibitions focusing on contemporary Chinese abstract art in 2006 and 2008, Liu Libin believes it's time to once again take a serious look at this neglected and easily misunderstood art.

Following VisibleInvisible I and VisibileInvisible II, the exhibition VisibleInvisible III was unveiled Saturday at the Hongkun Museum of Fine Art in Beijing.

Selecting dozens of works from five representative abstract artists, Chi Qun, Jiang Fang, Ma Shuqing, Tie Ying and Zhou Yangming, Liu explained that the exhibition is an attempt to help visitors understand the expressive nature of the language of art itself, instead of focusing on the interpretation of symbols.

Works selected for this exhibition represent their artists' most representative styles. For example, Ma's strong command of color in his paintings creates a strong visual effect through the use of subtle and complicated interweaving colors.

Unlike other forms of art, abstract art requires time and experience to be understood.

"When I first approach this type of art, I didn't understand it either. It took me two years before I started to get a feel for it," said Liu.

"Chinese people are too used to viewing symbolized art, which may conceal the real value of the art itself."

The exhibition is scheduled to run until October 26.