At the opening of his exhibition in Beijing's 798 Art Zone, Phenix Varbanov engaged the audience with an immersive performance. He folded a large round sheet of xuan paper on the ground, sprayed it with ink, and then flattened it out, revealing the unique textures and effects that resembled a bird's-eye view of snowcapped mountains.
His distinctive approach challenges conventional perceptions of Chinese ink art and expands the boundaries of a tradition that has endured for centuries. The work he created during the opening will remain on the gallery floor through the exhibition, allowing visitors to take a close look at its details.
Varbanov comes from a diverse cultural background. He has a Chinese mother, a Bulgarian father, and he grew up and lives in Paris, although he also spends time in Beijing, his mother's hometown. These rich cultural experiences and perspectives have given his paintings on xuan paper a sensibility that is both ancient and modern, Eastern and Western.
Varbanov is reserved with his use of color. His works are largely rendered in monochromatic ink, reminding one of a philosophical concept of Chinese painting that "ink has five shades" with which one can still depict the world. He is especially drawn to the darker shades, whose depth conveys an infinite expanse.
Seamless: Phenix Varbanov's Theatre of Xuan Paper is now on view at Red Gate Gallery until Oct 4.
