Contemporary Chinese Art: An exhibition of Works from the Collection of Pat Hui

A fresh breeze from the East. Over thousands of years, from the time of the five magical emperors who ruled earliest China through the end of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Chinese artists have gracefully rendered cranes, tigers, dragons, apple blossoms, and smiling ladies with painfully tiny feet on vases, scrolls, and bits of jade. But what have they done for us lately? Those working in the modern era—shall we call it the Bling Dynasty?—still respect their country’s art traditions, but they have also looked to Western movements like expressionism and abstract art for inspiration. The results can be stunning, as evidenced by this large sampling of works from the collection of Hong Kong-born artist and art dealer Pat Hui. Included are works by many of the most important Chinese artists, including expressionist painter Lui Shou-Kwan and Wucius Wong, whose emotional landscapes are controlled though elements of graphic design. Although Hui is a significant figure in the Chinese art world, she makes her home in Minnesota, so we have the good fortune of seeing many works that have never before been shown in the United States. 405 21st Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-624-7530