White Cube is pleased to participate in Frieze London 2018 with a solo presentation of new painting and sculpture by Liu Wei. The booth has been conceived by the artist as an installation, featuring a complex configuration of mesh walls that will transform the architecture of the space. In this unique setting, works can be viewed both in isolation and in dialogue with each other.
This presentation reflects a significant shift in Liu’s practice, which typically responds to changes in the socio-political and urban landscape of China. The 'Outdoors' paintings, for example, are abstract, ethereal landscapes inspired by French philosopher Bruno Latour’s investigations into the relationship between humans and nature. In contrast to his past grid-like canvasses based on existing digital images, the artist adopts a fluid style of painting, focusing on colour and organic forms to evoke another reality.
A prominent and respected figure in China, Liu’s work has been exhibited internationally, including PLATEAU, Samsung Museum of Art, Seoul (2016); Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing (2015) and Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, Netherlands (2014). His work is part of numerous collections such as the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, Oslo; Burger Collection, Hong Kong; Guy and Myriam Ullens Collection, Belgium; Haudenschild Collection, San Francisco, USA; M+, Hong Kong; National Gallery Victoria, Melbourne; and the Rubell Family Collection, Miami, USA.
Liu has been represented by White Cube since 2012, the same year as his first solo show at White Cube Bermondsey. He exhibited at White Cube Mason’s Yard in 2014 and White Cube Hong Kong in 2015. In 2019, the artist will have a solo show at White Cube Bermondsey in April, as well as concurrent exhibitions at Cleveland MOCA and Cleveland Museum of Art in Ohio.
