Kwai Fung Hin Singapore proudly presents Where is the Mountain?, a retrospective of Chinese contemporary artist Xue Song's “New Landscape” series. Showcasing key works from 1997 to the present, the exhibition traces his evolution from reconstructing traditional frameworks of landscape to exploring the inner essence of the art form, marking his spiritual return to both nature and tradition.
Renowned for his signature technique of burning and collage, Xue integrates elements of ancient calligraphy and rubbing, musical scores, and historical imagery into his canvases. This unique visual language facilitates a profound dialogue between past and present, East and West, layering the works with intricate cultural meanings.
In his early “New Landscapes”, Xue utilizes classical landscape compositions as a framework to juxtapose majestic peaks with contemporary urban symbols, capturing the modern quest for inner tranquility amidst rapid societal shifts. As his artistic vision matured, he began reconstructing the masterpieces of classical painters such as Hongren and Bada Shanren, engaging in a dialogue with the old masters.
His post-2019 “The Dao from Nature” series abandons representation in favor of an intuitive connection with the natural world. Embracing a minimalist approach, Xue finds inspiration in the beauty of natural textures, fissures, and watermarks, shifting his focus from outward form to inner spirit.
His recent works adopt a broader perspective, capturing the poetic atmosphere and rhythmic vitality of natural phenomena. Falling flowers and intertwining branches come together to reflect a harmonious synthesis between the artist's inner landscape and the external world.