Leo Gallery Shanghai | Layers of Being: Image and Soul

 

The exhibition Layers of Being: Image and Soul conceived for the Leo Gallery in Shanghai brings together for the first time the works of three artists united in their shared exploration of the human figure and identity through painting—Hu Shunxiang, Chen Hongzhi, and Clemens Krauss—to explore the profound connection between the external image and the internal essence of human experience. Through their distinct approaches to portraiture and figuration, the artists delve into the interplay of surface and depth, physicality and emotion, revealing intimate layers of identity and being involved in layers of pictorical features while blending traditional and contemporary techniques to challenge the boundaries of representation. Yet they diverge in their approaches—Hu through introspective subtlety and fluidity, Chen via the interplay of abstraction and collective representation, and Krauss with raw psychological intensity and bold expression.

 

Hu Shunxiang's paintings are characterized by their delicate balance between precision and fluidity. Drawing from traditional Chinese aesthetics and contemporary techniques, Hu constructs portraits that act as meditative reflections on the fragility of identity and time. Her work often focuses on the subtleties of facial expressions and body language representing then even in a non precise way, capturing fleeting moments of vulnerability and quiet introspection. Hu's canvases are not merely representations but emotional landscapes where the viewer is invited to pause and contemplate the depth beneath the surface. The works presented in this exhibition stem from her recent participation in an artist-in-residence program in Berlin. For the first time, she experienced being alone abroad, deeply immersed in both her new surroundings and her inner world. This period of introspection sparked an intimate journey of self-discovery, which she now invites us to share through her art conceived for this exhibition.

 

Chen Hongzhi approaches portraiture as a dynamic dialogue between form and abstraction. His works blur the boundaries between realism and emotional expression, where figures and faces emerge from—and dissolve into—textured, layered surfaces. The interplay of color, shadow, and light in his work becomes a metaphor for the complexity of human emotion and perception. His works transcend the traditional notion of individual portraiture, instead presenting collective representations that capture shared experiences and interconnected dynamics. These groups exist in a state of symbiosis, not only with one another but also with their surroundings, creating a profound sense of collective presence and attitude. Their faces and personal features are not recognizable. The artist often adopts a bird's-eye perspective to portray them from a certain distance, placing human figures within vast landscapes and scenarios. which emphasizes the monumentality and grandeur of the scenery in contrast to the human presence.

 

Clemens Krauss, in contrast to the more introspective and ethereal qualities of Hu and Chen, brings a raw psychological intensity to the exhibition. The German-Austrian artist based in Berlin explores themes of identity, vulnerability, and the human condition through expressive brushwork and bold compositions. His portraits go beyond physical representation, delving into the emotional and psychological layers of his subjects. Krauss often portrays the human body as both subject and metaphor, exposing the tension between external appearance and internal experience. His works challenge viewers to confront the fragile boundaries between self-perception and societal expectations, creating a space where vulnerability and strength coexist on the canvas. The artist held a solo exhibition in 2016 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chengdu and participated as invited artist in the Austrian Art Residency Program in Shanghai (2019/20). These experiences are part of his pictorial, biographical approach, enriching his work with reflections on cultural exchange, identity, and personal narrative.

 

Layers of Being: Image and Soul serves as a meeting point between worlds each bringing distinct histories, philosophies, and visual languages. In this exhibition, these cultural approaches do not stand in opposition but instead enrich one another, creating a space where identity transcends geographical borders. 

 

Together, the paintings by Hu Shunxiang, Chen Hongzhi and Clemens Krauss create a cross-cultural dialogue that transcends linguistic and cultural barriers, offering a shared language of artistic humanity. Layers of Being: Image and Soul invites viewers to not only see the image but to feel the soul behind each brushstroke, fostering a deeper understanding of what it means to be seen, felt, and understood.

 

Text / Tereza de Arruda