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14/9/2012

Han Lei

m97 Gallery, Shanghai

M97 Gallery is pleased to present a solo exhibition of new works by Beijing-based artist HAN Lei. Best known as a photography artist beginning in the 1980's documenting rural and village life in his hometown of Kaifeng, Henan, Han Lei's photographic practice has spanned three decades ranging from theatrical staged portraits of unconventional yet ordinary Chinese subjects to painting and installation works. “Don’t Get Me Wrong” presents a selection of new photographs, collages, and paintings, as well as never before exhibited video works made between 1992-1994 documenting subjects on the fringes of society in Shenzhen, Henan, Beijing and other various parts of China. An avid collector of historical Chinese memorabilia, Han Lei's works blur the lines of memory and present, fact and fiction, to border on the surreal in a Chinese society that remains illusive and defying summarization across vast disparities in rural and urban China.

The exhibition begins on September 15, 2012, and M97 Gallery will hold an opening reception for the artist on Saturday September 15th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. "Don't Get Me Wrong" is Han Lei's second solo exhibition at M97.
As one of the first generation of artists in China to make a name for himself with his photographs, Han Lei has been at the forefront of art photography in China for nearly 20 years, producing works in a variety of genres and artistic mediums and consistently exploring and experimenting with both the ordinary and the absurd.

I can’t bring myself to make images that uncritically reflect the dominant aesthetic, so there are always traces of discomfort there alongside the sentimental, the nostalgic elements that exist simultaneously in the images. [...] I use the camera to collect the strange feelings hidden in the bottom of my heart. When observing, judging, using film and playing with the camera became a ritual. I am convinced that photography is one form of magic.
- Han Lei

HAN Lei was born in 1967 in the ancient city of Kaifeng, Henan province, and graduated from Central Academy of Craft and Design in Beijing. While Han Lei’s practice employs many diverse media, including sculpture, installation and painting, photography has been the most consistent and pervasive vehicle for the creation of his acclaimed body of works. He was one of the early contemporary artists in China to make a name for himself with a camera, and his work has been shown worldwide at prestigious venues including the Kwangju Museum of Art (2007), the Guangzhou Museum of Art (2005) Liangzhou Photography Festival (2006, 2007), Guangzhou Photography Biennial (2005), Rome Photography Festival (2003, 2004, 2005), Prague International Museum (2003), as well as Pingyao Photograph (2011), and he has had numerous solo exhibitions in galleries across Europe, Asia and the United States.

Image: Han Lei, "Forgotten #1" (2012) C-Print. 150 x 112 cm. © Han Lei. Courtesy of M97 Gallery

Opening saturday September 15th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

M97 Gallery
No. 97 Moganshan Road 2F Shanghai, China 200060
Tues - Sat 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Sun 12:00 - 6:00 pm

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