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Out of the Woods


17 November - 23 December, 2023
Out of the Woods

OVERVIEW


Birds scatter in the sky, Nesting high, alone they lie. Rain rushes to the valley's deep, In quiet pools, its secrets keep

Mandy Zhang Art is proud to present "Out of the Woods" on the occasion of the gallery's one-year anniversary. In the face of unsettling global events, nature's rhythms remind us of the quest for stability amidst constant chaos. The war in the Middle East underscores the profound need for security, peace, and a sense of belonging. This exhibition echoes these sentiments, delving deep into the concepts of 'shelter' and 'safe zones'. Showcasing the works of Mengmeng Zhang, Long Huang, Syeda Aatika Fatima, Can Sun, and Yingming Chen, ‘Out of the Woods’ presents diverse expressions through painting, sculpture, and moving images, each artist offering a unique perspective on security, belonging, and refuge. Paintings draw the audience into the artist's inner world, offering a sanctuary away from reality. Mengmeng Zhang's layered brush strokes reshape characters from her memories, their features blending with the background, hinting at underlying melancholy. Long Huang's darkly humorous take on reality captures a surreal inner realm. His cropped compositions focus on specific moments, guiding viewers through a dreamlike interplay between abstraction and representation. Syeda Aatika Fatima's ‘domestic frame’ on wasli paper portrays the daily interplay between individuals and communities, framing harmonious coexistence within a flat housing structure. Can Sun's visual pieces challenge the boundaries between the virtual and real, and between the digital and physical. His provocative works invite viewers to question the safety of virtual spaces. Meanwhile,Yingming Chen transforms the Blind Box into a platform for dialogue, drawing inspiration from Hans-Georg Gadamer’s ‘fusion of horizons’. Encouraging viewers to challenge their perceptions, the artist promotes mutual understanding by bridging conceptual divides. In our globalized world, where lives are intertwined and conflicts arise, artists explore the multi-faceted dimensions of security and belonging. Hidden beneath the veil of stability are undercurrents waiting to emerge. As we stand on the brink of restlessness, no-one can remain merely an observer.

INSTALLATION VIEW


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SELECTED WORK



Syeda Aatika Fatima

  • Open Secrets, 2022
  • Gouache on Wasli
  • 52x33cm

Syeda Aatika Fatima

  • Taste of Lahore, 2021
  • Gouache on Wasli
  • 40x40cm

Syeda Aatika Fatima

  • The Grind, 2022
  • Gouache on Wasli
  • 40x40cm

Syeda Aatika Fatima

  • World Apart II, 2021
  • Gouache on Wasli
  • 25x68cm

Syeda Aatika Fatima

  • World Apart I, 2021
  • Gouache on Wasli
  • 25x68cm

Long Huang

  • Firefly 萤火虫, 2023
  • Oil on canvas
  • 115x150cm

Long Huang

  • Swing hotpot 摇摆火锅, 2023
  • Oil on canvas
  • 115x160cm

Long Huang

  • La haine 恨, 2023
  • Oil on canvas
  • 80x100cm

Long Huang

  • Out of the Woods, 2023
  • Oil on canvas
  • 115x115cm

Yingming Chen

  • Blind Box, 2023
  • Mixed media
  • 69x58x16cm