Liu Bolin
Hiding in the City No. 57 - Arles, 2007
Archival pigment print
46 1/2 x 59 inches (118 x 150 cm)
Hiding in the City No. 85 - Chinese Courtyard, 2009
Archival pigment print
47 1/4 x 47 1/4 inches (120 x 120 cm)
Hiding in the City No. 14 - Er Guo White Wine Factory, 2006
Archival pigment print
51 1/8 x 63 inches (130 x 160 cm)
Burning Man Obama, 2009
Bronze and pyrotechnics
70 7/8 x 17 5/8 x 17 5/8 inches (180 x 44 x 44 cm)
Eli Klein Fine Art is proud to present Liu Bolin's second solo exhibition at the gallery, this show features his new photography and sculpture.
Since Liu Bolin was first exhibited at Eli Klein Fine Art in 2007, the artist's popularity has exploded in the international arena. His message of political protest is understood throughout the world and bridges gaps in language and culture. Discussions of his works have been the subject of emails, blogs, magazine and journal articles on a massive scale.
Liu Bolin’s earlier Hiding in the City photography series, in which he paints himself into the urban landscape, was inspired by the Chinese government’s demolition of the Suo Jiacun Artist Village in Beijing in 2006. He drew attention to great landmarks in China, both old and modern, while highlighting the lack of recognition which was paid to the citizens that built them. He portrayed the tragedy of the increasing insignificance of the individual in China as the government focused on presenting a modern commercial and industrial image. Rather than trying to fight, people attempted to hide and adapt to these forced changes.
Conversely, Liu Bolin’s newest sculptures rejoice in the new hope he has for humanity. HisBurning Man and Burning Man Obama represent people’s anger and the subsequent desire for change in society. He celebrates people like President Obama who are “on fire,” unwilling to accept the world as it is today and trying to stand up for the true needs and concerns of the people.
Born in China’s Shandong province in 1973, Liu Bolin earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Shandong College of Arts and his Master of Fine Arts from the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. His work has been exhibited throughout the world, including at the Today Art Museum in Beijing, the Museum on the Seam in Israel, the Berkshire Museum in Massachusetts, the Seoul Art Museum in Korea, and the Chicago Cultural Center in the United States.
Please join Eli Klein Fine Art in celebrating the increasing prominence of one of our artists. The exhibition will be on view from April 30 through June 4, 2010. Liu Bolin will be present for the opening reception on Friday, April 30th.
For further information, please contact the gallery at (212) 255-4388 or info@kleinsungallery.com