Attachment

In recent years, the subject of Guo Kai’s landscape paintings has gradually transitioned, from the deconstruction and reconstruction of traditional architecture nestled within a natural landscape to the landscape itself, specifically mountains, and the visual and symbolic significance mountains hold. As an architecture professor at Hefei University of Technology, Guo often accompanies students to draw from life from the abundance of heritage architecture in the southern regions of Anhui province. However, in recent years, the classic motifs of Chinese architecture, such as curving rooflines and grand archways seldom appear on his canvases, and are instead replaced with increasing abstract ensembles of mountains, from life drawing trips that he takes alone deep in the reaches of famous mountains like the Yellow Mountain. In terms of composition, the absence of a formal subject allows him to take complete and personal command of the canvas, where the faint contours of mountains become an elegant system of the artist’s symbols and gestures. With his muted palette and images frozen in time, this shift in subject has given Guo Kai a sense of belonging or attachment at the very heart of traditional Chinese landscape painting – the mountains.

Yi Art Institute
3F, Elephant Duo Art District, Lvzhoudong Road, Shushan District, Hefei
August 8 – September 7, 2020
Reception: Saturday, August 8, 3:00 pm
Hours: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm

Gallery Touring Exhibition
January 9 – March 9, 2021
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm