The Chinese mainland’s Zhang Lanpo is presenting 16 works consisting of paintings and photography in his solo exhibition “Above the Abyss” at Albergue SCM’s A2 Gallery, not only presenting artworks but also celebrating the 26th Anniversary of Macau’s return to the motherland.
Running through February 15, the exhibition opened last week and features works that transport exhibitiongoers to an almost otherworldly place as they explore each of the pieces, several of which are large-scale works, on display across the gallery. Each exhibit provides a reflection on history, memory, and humanity while also re-examining reality, with Zhang’s artwork leading viewers to a journey of floating above the abyss, according to a recent statement by organiser Círculo dos Amigos da Cultura de Macau (CAC, “Circle of the Friends of Macau’s Culture”).
Exhibition curator Iion Ho (何映荷) pointed out in a statement displayed at the gallery that Zhang “places his images in a world that never fully descends – fragments drifting above a dark, viscous ground, surfacing and sinking through layers of time, memory, and death”.
Lanzhou-born Zhang has been recognised as one of the Top 20 emerging contemporary photographers in the Chinese mainland and is noted as “one of the most representative figures in the field of Chinese conceptual photography”, according to the CAC statement.
Lanzhou is the capital city of the northwestern province of Gansu.
His work stands out for its deep intellectual exploration of the limits of human existence and consciousness, according to his biography provided with the gallery statement, which noted that all of his large-scale pieces take up to eight months to create and showcase careful craftsmanship with rich layers of meaning and detail. His photography, in particular, reflects on death, aiming to offer a new perspective on life.
Zhang has received various photography awards and, as listed in his artist’s bio, has held solo exhibitions and joined a number of group exhibitions in places in the Chinese mainland and overseas such as in Cuba, Singapore, and Los Angeles.
Members of the public may visit the exhibition Tuesdays through Sundays from 12 noon to 7 p.m. On Mondays, one can visit from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
*SCM stands for Santa Casa da Misericórdia (Holy House of Mercy), Macau’s oldest charitable organisation.
Photos: Rui Pastorin
