Galerie Perrotin is displaying new paintings by young Chinese artist Huang Yuxin in his first solo show with the gallery, which runs through October 15.The artist’s latest creations are deeply inspired by the sentence “And ne forhtedon na,” which is also the title of the exhibition. These words, translated as “Be Not Afraid,” are written on the tombstone of 20th century Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges, and are also quoted in the Old English poem “The Battle of Maldon,” which Borges translated and discussed. Obsessed with the writer’s work, this phrase has become the creative and meditative source for Huang Yuxin, influencing his expressionist paintings.The exhibition showcases 12 pieces from the artist’s recent body of work, depicting fragmented human forms and geometric, psychedelic colors and patterns. These elements are imbued with “life source” for the artist, representing “man” and “wisdom.” According to a press release, “to [Huang Yuxin], ‘man’ can survive death of the body and continue his own historicity. Thus ‘man’ (or ‘the body’ for that matter) becomes the only thing to challenge the world and the carrier of wisdom and history.”In his smaller works, the artist portrays skulls inside amber-like crystals, set against a less harsh background. The skulls, which are commonly associated with death or fear, are “toned down” owing to the artist’s smooth color palette, with an added reassuring “And Ne Forhtedon Na.”These new paintings are an extension of his “Treasures” series, in which Huang Yuxin aims to impart his own wisdom on man’s challenges facing tragedy, anxiety, or worries, with a simple conclusion: “Be Not Afraid.”Beijing-based Huang Yuxin is garnering increasing attention and interest, especially in the eyes of Southeast Asian collectors. The artist has also exhibited in major exhibitions in institutions such as the Yuz Museum, Shanghai Minsheng Museum, and Christie’s “+86 First Open” auction.“And Ne Forhtedon Na” runs through October 16 at Galerie Perrotin, Hong Kong.
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