Impetus. The artist's works on paper consist of two parts: Photography and Drawing. He studies the relationship between movement and stillness, invisible inside and visible surface, peace and danger to discover the universal truth.
Dai Mouyu’s works on paper consist of two parts: Photography and Drawing.
Photography has a long relationship with painting since it was invented in the 19th
century. While there is similarity between western painting and photography, such as
the recording of events, pictorial elements, use of perspective and the pursuit of
reality; In the East, painting and photography are distinct as eastern painting
usually sets out to capture one’s spiritual world, yet the principle of photography
is its materialism. In contrast Dai Mouyu produces sensitive and abstract works with
both drawing and photography, the artworks containing the same substance although
differing in form.
Mouyu says that only by combining these two art forms can he be in balance. His
photography tends to be more sensitive, while his drawing has a surface sensitivity
that belies an underlying strong rationality. At first glance at Mouyu’s drawings,
one may feel his strong emotion and sensitivity, after a while, one can start to be
immersed within his work and see the different world, either from a micro or macro
perspective, and start to wonder the truth within the universe. “Hormone”, derived
from a Greek word “impetus”, meaning “rouse” or “excite”, Mouyu ‘s drawings are kind
of similar to this scientific activity of cells and variations in molecular
structure, capturing the moments that impetus hidden inside of the stillness, and
any second to be explode.
The artist studies the relationship between movement and stillness, invisible inside
and visible surface, peace and danger to discover the universal truth. The spectator
can imagine how much the sense of order, the ability of analysis, rigorous, patient
and penetrating the artist needs to complete these artworks. This almost obsessive
compulsive attention to detail can drive the artist mad thus drawing him to the use
of the modern device of photography for the visible side of his artwork to keep
himself balanced. However it is hard to mark the difference between his drawing and
photography works in terms of the art works’ content.
Dai Mouyu was born in Guangdong province in 1975 and now lives and works in
Shanghai. His photography work has been exhibited in several major exhibitions:
Lianzhou International Photography Festival, Guangzhou Photography Biannual, Taipei
MoCA, Shanghai Duolun Art Museum, Shanghai Art Museum etc. FQ Projects is delighted
to show his photography work and his new drawings.
Opening Reception: 11 April Saturday 2009 4-6pm
FQ Projects
76, Lane 927 Huai Hai Mid Rd - Shanghai
Opening hours: Wed – Sun 10-6 Thursday late night till 9pm
Free admission