Qu Lei Lei In Conversation

Join us for a panel discussion and fascinating insight into leading contemporary ink painter, Qu Lei Lei’s life journey from China to London. The artist will be in conversation with British Museum Basil Gray curator, Dr Luk Yu-ping, and Sotheby's Institute, Dr Katie Hill. Moderated by Pamela Kember, Head of Arts and Learning at Asia House.

The talk will be followed by a drinks/canapé reception generously supported by 3812 Gallery

“From form, sound, soul, human nature to time, Art itself is the echo of life.”  Qu Lei Lei

Qu Lei Lei is renowned for reinventing the application of traditional Chinese medium- brush, ink and xuan paper to draw portraits of faces, hands and bodies. In his work, the application of light and shadow is very different from other traditional works. Qu Lei Lei, a “master of chiaroscuro ink,” an effect of contrasted light and shadow, has chosen a harder path to echo Western painting and Chinese ink art on a technical level. His works of brush, ink, light and shadow depict full-size nude figures in a return to a pure pursuit of art; classicism mixed with a modern spirit where his pursuit of light is reminiscent of European Renaissance paintings laid down in Chinese ink on scrolled xuan paper; an evolvement of the language of Chinese ink painting for a modern world.

“I hope to use my own forms to create a quality akin to sculpture,” states Qu Lei Lei to explain his “perception of beauty” as he creates hauntingly beautiful marble-like forms with the softness of flowers, plants and vine patterns. Creating contrasts between structure and texture yet touching a harmony between circle and line, motion and stillness. The late Chinese scholar Michael Sullivan has called Qu Lei Lei’s skillful interpretation of the integration between Western realism and Eastern conceptual imagery a “new literati painting” that best approximates the Chinese literati ideal. 

This event is presented in collaboration with 3812 Gallery, and in association with Qu Leilei’s latest solo exhibition taking place at the 3812 Gallery’s London and Hong Kong venues."