Thu, Oct 26
|artLAB Gallery @ Western University
In the Heart of the Bronze: A Liu Shiming Experience
The Liu Shiming Art Foundation is delighted to unveil the retrospective exhibition titled "In the Heart of the Bronze: A Liu Shiming Experience," which will be showcased at the artLAB gallery at Western University.
Time & Location
Oct 26, 2023, 12:00 PM – Nov 16, 2023, 5:00 PM
artLAB Gallery @ Western University, Western University, John Labatt Visual Arts Centre, Perth Dr, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
About the event
During his prolific and groundbreaking career, the Chinese modern sculptor Liu Shiming (1926-2010) created some of the most intriguing and complex works in the field of sculpture. “In the Heart of the Bronze: A Liu Shiming Experience" examines Liu's decades-long career, where he skillfully melded everyday scenes with the high art of sculpture and statues, breathing life and humanity into the people he depicted in three-dimensional form.
Due to the living conditions in the countryside, Liu Shiming had limited access to materials such as bronze. Consequently, he crafted bronze replicas after returning to Beijing, where he had access to the necessary resources. Featuring 26 pieces of bronze sculpture, this exhibition offers a glimpse into Liu's life and his unique perspective on the world. His work approaches its themes with the utmost fidelity, serving as a documentary of ordinary living scenes.
The exhibition is open for viewing from October 26, 2023, through November 16, 2023, at the artLAB gallery at Western University, with a public reception and panel discussion on October 26 from 5–8 p.m.. It provides a rare opportunity to delve into the profound world of Liu Shiming's artistry and experience the rich tapestry of ordinary life through his masterful sculptures.
As part of the public celebration on October 26, the Department of Visual Arts is hosting a panel discussion from 7–8 p.m. examining Shiming’s work and legacy. Panelists include esteemed York University faculty Yam Lau, Ph.D. candidate and curator of the show Ashar Mobeen.
The works on view, for the first time in Canada, showcase a unique vision of sculpture at once highly specific to the cultural and artistic contexts in which they were made, while still informed by the historical traditions and practices that preceded them. Both humble and majestic, Shiming’s work continues to offer resonant and expansive forms for contemplation, connection, and identification.
The artLAB gallery is located at John Labatt Visual Arts Centre, 1151 Richmond St, London, Ontario, Canada. The exhibition will remain on view till November 16, 2023, and is open from Monday to Friday 12-5 PM.
About The Department of Visual Arts at Western University
The Department of Visual Arts at Western University is a dynamic and innovative hub where art history, theory, and studio practices harmoniously intersect. Renowned for its excellent facilities, the department offers state-of-the-art computer labs, well-equipped photography and printmaking areas, a purpose-built gallery, and expansive workshop and studio spaces. In seminar and lecture rooms equipped with cutting-edge technology, art history comes to life, while the Ivey Library, a premier digital resource center, enhances research opportunities. With a commitment to extracurricular enrichment, including the prestigious Visitors in the Art Now! Speaker Series, faculty-led projects, and collaborations with other university departments and local cultural institutions, the department fosters a diverse range of activities and experiences that contribute significantly to both students' education and the broader cultural community in London.
Presented in partnership with the Liu Shiming Art Foundation