Huang Rui: Sea of Silver Sand

EVENT DESCRIPTION

10 Chancery Lane Gallery is pleased to present Sea of Silver Sand, a solo exhibition by pioneering Chinese contemporary artist Huang Rui, on view from May 22 to July 5, 2025. This exhibition showcases Huang Rui’s latest works from his ongoing Sea of Silver Sand series, a deeply meditative body of paintings inspired by his long-standing fascination with Zen gardens and the transient beauty of nature. The exhibition will coincide with The French May in Hong Kong, marking a significant moment as the artist will be present to attend the opening.

The Sea of Silver Sand series, conceived over the past five years, finds its origins in an initiatory journey Huang Rui undertook in 2000, when he visited Kyoto’s Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) and its famed Zen rock garden. This experience left an indelible mark on the artist’s spiritual and artistic practice, shaping his continued exploration of nature’s fleeting yet eternal presence.

Since 2019, Huang Rui has expanded this series, moving away from rigid abstraction to embrace a freer, more expressive visual language. His canvases evoke the shifting light, textures, and moods of the Sea of Silver Sand, where subtle shades of blue reflect both the materiality of the landscape and the inner states of the artist’s mind. The interplay of color and form mirrors Huang Rui’s evolving emotional and spiritual connection to this profound space, which he describes as a place of sand and stone, waves and rivers, moonlight and stars—a landscape in constant transformation.

ABOUT THE ARTIST / ORGANISER

Huang Rui (b. 1952, China, lives in Beijing) stands as one of China's most esteemed artists. His artistic creations are deeply rooted in intellectual observations of history, music, politics, and the world at large. Huang Rui can be described as a philosopher artist, delving into both the past and present to express his ideas through various mediums such as paintings, sculptures, performances, and installations. What sets Huang Rui apart is his ability to distil complex concepts and ideas into simple and accessible forms. Through his artistic endeavours, he strives to communicate a universal understanding that resonates with individuals from diverse backgrounds. His work embodies a golden rule of comprehension, transcending cultural, social, and ideological boundaries. Huang Rui's artistic vision goes beyond aesthetic beauty; it aims to provoke thought, challenge conventional wisdom, and inspire dialogue. His works serve as catalysts for introspection, encouraging viewers to contemplate the complexities of the human experience, the interplay between history and the present, and the dynamics of power and politics. Since the 1970s, Huang Rui has been active at the forefront of Chinese contemporary art as an artist and instigator, who notably co-organised the “Stars Art Exhibition” in 1979 and pioneered contemporary art practice in China.