Artists from Asia and Europe use art to depict changes in social trends

An exhibition showcasing paintings by Chinese artist Ling Jian, Milenko Prvacki from Singapore, Austrian artist Hubert Scheibl and Giuseppe Gallo from Italy has opened at the Parkview Museum in Beijing.

The exhibition is titled 'Bridging Asia-Europe'. However, Chinese artist Ling Jian doesn't think there's a real gap between the artists. "we were born in the same era, between late 1970s and early 1980s," he said.

"What made the difference is that they create abstract paintings whereas my works are all figurative paintings", added Ling. The artist disclosed he spent a total of six years completing the on-display series for this exhibition.

Ling also thinks all their paintings mirror the changes that took place in their respective societies. "Over the last two decades, huge changes have taken place in Chinese society while those European countries haven't observed noticeable changes in the same years. And this contrast may also be indicated via these paintings."

A painting by Chinese artist Ling Jian is on display at the 'Bridging Asia-Europe' exhibition which opened on Saturday, Nov 2, 2019 at the Parkview Museum in Beijing.[Photo provided to China Plus]

The exhibition features a highly sophisticated visual organization of painterly structures, as well as extremely fine colorism and intensive sensuality.

Milenko Prvacki, who used to be a citizen of former Yugoslavia, is now a senior fellow at the Office of the President at Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore. He's happy to see his works included in the 'Bridging Asia-Europe' exhibition.

"I'm very interested in history, trying to teach the Singaporeans how history is important in everything including in artists' creations," explained Prvacki. "I've mixed all kinds of abstractions through the history of paintings in Asia, Europe and the US. We, as artists, benefit from those cultural differences."

In the eyes of Austrian artist Hubert Scheibl, the cultural gap is conquerable. "I can understand the art pieces from other involved artists emotionally," said Scheibl. "I think it is not only an exhibition, but also a gathering of artists from Asia and Europe to enable them to talk to each other and better understand each other's work."

The exhibition is the third of a series launched by The Parkview Museum in 2017. As suggested by the title "Bridging Asia—Europe", this series of contemporary art exhibitions aims to establish a cultural bridge between countries of the East and the West through the creation of a dialogue between artists within a global and multicultural perspective.

The exhibition 'Bridging Asia-Europe' gathers artists from China, Singapore, Austria and Italy at its opening ceremony on Saturday, Nov 2, 2019.[Photo provided to China Plus]