Chinese artist mixes tradition with contemporary in exhibit

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By Zach Brake

For those looking for a new cultural experience, the Ann Tower Gallery is hosting the first U.S. exhibition of renowned Chinese ceramics artist Zhu Legeng.

The exhibition, “Out of China: Works by Zhu Legeng,” is being shown as part of Lexington’s Gallery Hop 2009, a local event where downtown museums, galleries and restaurants hold open houses to showcase the arts. “Out of China” will contain around 40 pieces of Zhu’s work, including ceramic horses and oxen, figures from his new series, a few of his “Heavenly Horses,” abstract wall pieces and functional vessels.

Zhu was one of the first Chinese ceramic artists to set up a studio, kiln and workshop in the post-Mao era. He has held several honors, including having his personal ceramic art exhibitions shown in Singapore twice and is considered a major force in Chinese ceramics.

Zhu graduated with a Masters of Fine Art from Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute. He has been the professor of Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, director of the ceramic research center of the Chinese Academy of Art, a doctoral supervisor and the dean of Jingdezhen Folk-Kiln Arts Research Institute.

“In my work, I use tradition as a departure point then to carry it on and to use contemporary expressions and ideas to express my work,” Zhu said. “I want Americans to learn more about China through my works.”

Andrew Maske, a UK professor of art history and co-curator for the Ann Tower Gallery, said Zhu’s style is diverse.

“He does a whole variety of different things,” Maske said. “It is very unusual for any artist to do so many different types of pieces in their medium. Usually artists try to get a look that people can identify, and Mr. Zhu has multiple styles that he works in that look nothing like the others. It’s like looking at the work of five different artists.”

UK Chinese language and East Asian history professor Huajing Maske said this is a good exhibit for students to attend.

“Ann Tower Gallery is a very prestigious gallery in Lexington,” Huajing Maske said. “It represents artists who are not only local but also who have gone national from Lexington.

Andrew Maske said the exhibit will give students a lesson that is not offered in the classroom and that “students will definitely have fun.”

“Out of China: Works by Zhu Legeng” will begin with an opening reception Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. The exhibit will run through April 5 at the Ann Tower Gallery, which is located at 141 E. Main St. To find out more about the exhibit or the Ann Tower Gallery, visit the gallery’s Web site, (www.anntowergallery.com).