L`HOMME PENSE DIEU RIT
Terroir
———Chien Chung Pei
Every artist is influenced by his life journey. RU Xiao Fan is no exception. His journey can be seen directly is his work, be it painting or sculpture.
I first met Xiao Fan over 30 years ago. Already I was impressed by how rapidly he had mastered the French language. This is completely characteristic of how seamlessly he can integrate himself into his surroundings.
His artistic transition was similar. His keen sense of observation allowed him to transform his artistic creation into western art with Chinese roots.
In a way this mirrors my own father’s career as an American architect born in China. He came to the United States as a teenager but because of the Civil War in China he could not return.
But architecture is a practical art. Buildings must meet standards of safety and practicality. In architecture, these constraints are helpful directions. Architects must respond to other constraints as well. We must be concerned to meet the client’s programmatic requirements and budget.
The design must fit into the context of the site and history. Some buildings should blend into their surroundings; others should have a sharp contrast. The architect must understand the needs of his client. This is often a psychological game! The best works of architecture are the result of collaboration between the architect and his enlightened client.
Painting and sculpture do not have constraints. An artist has total freedom and must find his own direction and inspiration. Therefore the job of the artist is inherently more difficult. This is why I especially appreciate Xiao Fan’s creative instincts. Except in the case of an artistic commission, the artist must only satisfy himself.
Recently I had the pleasure of sharing a delicious meal with Xiao Fan at his studio in Paris. Good food and good wine. This hedonistic pleasure in life is reflected in his art!
His work is both amusing and ironic, integrating his Chinese roots with his adopted “terroir”. It is fully appropriate to use this uniquely French word that describes the specificity of the finest wines that express their climate, soil, and orientation.
Xiao Fan’s work is ever changing but maintains its creative continuity from year to year. Like a fine wine, I keep coming back for more!
Gentle Smile, Heart Connection
———Chen Ruijin
Ru Xiaofan was one of the first batch university students after Cultural Revolution and international students after reform and opening-up. He returned to his homeland for holding his exhibition of new and retrospective works after living and working in Paris for 34 years.
The basic concept and cultural transmission of Ru Xiaofan is resourced from China, though the way to express it comes from the West. The idea of self-refine and immortality of Taosim and Zen was expressed in his earlier abstract paintings. Since the new century, his favorite has turned to happy secular life and consumerism. In recent works, he has reflected his concern on conflicts and orders, confrontations and communications between different races and religions through surrealism and symbolism.
The exhibition title “L’homme Pense, Dieu Rit”, which derives from the old Hebrew idiom, becomes famous in China for its quotation by Milian Kundera. It is similar to oriental Zen in its heart connecting which runs through all his career over 40 years from abstract to concrete.
The modern painting circle of China faced its flourishing after reform and opening-up. One form created another, one tide pursued another. The works of Ru Xiaofan have varied forms with all kinds of painting skills. He fell into his own heart, made his own art history. He learned but created a parallel art to others. The abundant vein of the exhibition not only provides a perspective of Chinese modern painting, but also a legend of an overseas Chinese artist for 40 years.