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Xiumin Men: bridging tradition and innovation in Contemporary Chinese Art

In the diverse and ever-evolving world of contemporary art, Xiumin Men is carving out his own path with a personal and introspective approach to ink painting. Drawing inspiration from Taoist philosophy and the beauty of nature, this Chinese artist explores the harmony between humanity and the universe, blending abstraction with tradition in his creative process.

Redefining ink painting

Rooted in the rich heritage of Chinese ink painting, Xiumin Men brings a contemporary twist to this age-old art form. While honoring traditional techniques and principles, he incorporates abstract and philosophical elements that resonate with a modern audience. His work reflects the Taoist concept of “the unity of heaven and man”, striving to depict the interconnectedness of all living things.

Rather than merely replicating classic landscapes, his paintings aim to capture a deeper, intangible essence. The interplay of soft, fluid lines and structured forms creates a dynamic dialogue between order and chaos, the visible and the unseen.

A Journey Toward Recognition

Although not yet a household name, Xiumin Men is gradually gaining recognition on the international art scene. In 2020, he received an award at the Salon du dessin et de la peinture à l’eau at the Grand Palais in Paris, marking a significant milestone in his career. This opportunity introduced his work to European audiences and set the stage for further exploration beyond his home country.

Represented by ANKHART, Xiumin Men has since participated in several notable art events, including:

The Biennale des Beaux-Arts de Rambouillet in 2023,
ART CAPITAL in Paris,
The 120th Anniversary of the Salon d’Automne,
And ART MUC in Munich in 2024.

These experiences highlight his commitment to sharing his art with diverse audiences and engaging with demanding and varied artistic communities.

An evolving artistic practice

While grounded in tradition, Xiumin Men’s work remains in constant evolution. His style, still developing, explores abstract notions such as cosmic energy and universal connections. Far from claiming perfection, his paintings express a sincere and humble quest for balance between nature and spirituality.

Through minimalistic textures and compositions, he invites viewers to reflect on their own connection to the universe. Though his impact remains modest for now, his thoughtful approach is beginning to resonate with those interested in contemporary Chinese art.

Xiumin Men and ANKHART: a promising partnership

With the support of ANKHART, Xiumin Men has found a platform to showcase his work and grow as an artist. This partnership offers him opportunities to explore new avenues and connect with other international creators. While his name is not yet widely recognized, his participation in various art events demonstrates potential that could fully bloom in the years ahead.

A promise for the future

Xiumin Men is an artist in the midst of exploration, continuously refining and enriching his craft. His works, blending tradition and modernity, offer a personal and introspective perspective on universal themes of harmony and spirituality. While much remains to be discovered and achieved, Xiumin Men exemplifies how drawing from traditional roots can pave the way toward a forward-looking vision.

News - Painting

Yali LI : A visionary of contemporary art

In the world of contemporary art, certain names emerge with particular force, and that of Yaki LI stands out as a key figure. Her unique career path, which combines fashion design with abstract artistic expression, has enabled her to create a singular universe where textures, colours and emotions merge to give birth to vibrant, captivating works.

An atypical career, a singular approach

Before plunging into the world of contemporary art, Yaki LI took her first steps in fashion design. This creative background, nurtured by a sensitivity to textures and a mastery of colours, deeply influences her artistic approach. By exploring abstraction, she transcends convention to convey intense emotions, offering viewers an experience that is both intimate and universal.

Her works are not just something to be contemplated: they invite dialogue and introspection. Each stroke, each nuance reveals a search for balance between chaos and harmony, transforming the canvas into a space for deep reflection.

ANKHART: a platform for artistic diversity

As founder of ANKHART, Yaki LI does not limit herself to her own artistic practice. She has created a platform dedicated to innovation and cultural exchange, where she plays a central role in bringing international talent to the fore. To date, more than 50 artists from diverse backgrounds have found in ANKHART a space to express themselves fully and share their singular visions.

ANKHART is more than just an exhibition space; it’s a veritable artistic laboratory. The exhibitions designed by Yaki LI are immersive and dynamic, establishing dialogues between the works and their viewers. Each event becomes an emotional journey, a celebration of the diversity of artistic and aesthetic practices.

Art as a cultural bridge

One of Yaki LI’s great strengths lies in its ability to transcend geographical and cultural boundaries. The events she organises are not just about presenting works of art: they become moments of exchange, building bridges between cultures and artistic sensibilities. Through these encounters, Yaki LI encourages deep reflection on the place of art in a constantly changing world.

A commitment to the future of contemporary art

Yaki LI’s quest never stops. Always on the lookout for innovation, she imagines new formats to bring artists and audiences closer together, while pushing back the boundaries of what contemporary art can be. Thanks to her visionary approach, she is helping to redefine the contours of the international art scene.

Yaki LI is much more than an artist or a curator: she is a conduit for emotions and ideas, a figure who inspires and opens up new perspectives in the art world. Whether through her work or her commitment to ANKHART, she continues to shape an artistic landscape rich in diversity, intensity and beauty.

Discover the world of Yaki LI and ANKHART : an invitation to explore art in all its forms, through experiences that leave their mark on the mind and soul.

News

The first gold medal awarded to the artist Dan Jacobson

dan Jacobson avec Madame Tellier Isle Adam Jeux olympiques remise de la médaille d'or

In a year marked by the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the town of L’Isle-Adam, which has been awarded the “Land of Games” label, is standing out with an ambitious cultural initiative: an open-air exhibition dedicated to the works of the artist Dan Jacobson. Organised at the initiative of Agnès Tellier, President of the Tourist Board and Deputy Mayor in charge of Culture and Tourism, the exhibition celebrates the Olympic spirit and showcases the talent of an artist who has captured the essence of the Games.

News - Painting

Daniel Olivier explores the tormented destiny of Van Gogh through a vibrantly emotional artwork.

artiste Daniel Olivier Auvers-sur-OIse Van Gogh

In the world of contemporary art, where experimentation and innovation are often sought after, Daniel Olivier manages to stand out with an approach that is both classic and deeply introspective. His latest work, “The Path of Vincent,” captures the essence of a poignant tribute to one of the greatest painters of all time, Vincent Van Gogh. This canvas, measuring 81 x 65 cm, crafted in oil and amber, plunges viewers into an emotional journey linking the early steps of the Dutch artist to his tragic end in Auvers-sur-Oise.

Daniel Olivier chose as a starting point a rare photograph of Van Gogh, taken in 1872 when he was only 19 years old. This choice is not trivial: it represents Daniel Olivier’s attempt to capture the innocence and latent potential of the young man before the storm of life consumed him. From this youthful face, Daniel weaves a visual spiral, a metaphor for the creative and destructive whirlwind that would define Van Gogh’s fate.

magazine ART MAG Daniel OLIVIER_ Le chemin de Vincent_ hst_ 81 x 65

News

The Impact of Japonism on Western Art.

artmag Morimura Yasumasa les francisaines deauville

Muto Shigeo

In 1860, an unexpected event turned the European art world upside down: Japan, after centuries of isolation, opened up to the West. The opening sent shockwaves through French artists, who for almost two millennia had been accustomed to an approach to painting based on shadows, gradations and perspective. By discovering Japanese art, with its simple lines, bright colours and bold use of asymmetry, European painters were confronted with a radically different way of representing the world. This aesthetic shock marked the beginning of a new era in Western art, known as Japonism.

News - Painting

Aslıhana Çiftgül, rising star of contemporary art,honoured in Lecce

Aslıhan Çiftgül, the Turkish artist who has already made her mark on the contemporary art world with her daring and singularity, has just been awarded a prize for her work ‘Satyres’, exhibited last February at the prestigious Grand Palais. The prize, awarded at an extraordinary biennial event in Lecce, Italy, celebrates not only her talent but also her ability to engage in dialogue across cultures and eras.

Feedback - Painting

Celebrating the Centenary of the Friendship between Turkey and Japan : An Unforgettable Group Exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum

Director of Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum with Aslihan Ciftgul

From 12 to 18 May 2024, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum hosted an exceptional group exhibition to celebrate the centenary of the friendship between Turkey and Japan. The event provided a valuable opportunity for the two nations to strengthen their cultural and artistic ties, bringing together artists and art lovers in a vibrant celebration of creativity and collaboration.

A Festival of friendship and creativity

The Turkish Embassy in Japan played a central role in organising this event, inviting renowned artists to exhibit their work. Among them, Aslihan Ciftgul, a leading figure in contemporary art, honoured the exhibition with her presence. Her participation testifies to the importance Turkey attaches to this significant anniversary, symbolising a century of cultural exchange, mutual respect and sincere friendship between the two countries.

Works by Aslihan Ciftgul

Among the pieces on display, Aslihan Ciftgul presented two remarkable works depicting important historical figures of the Turkish Republic.

Sabiha Gökçen : The First Woman Pilot of the Turkish Republic

One of Ciftgul’s key works is a portrait of Sabiha Gökçen. Recognised as the first female combat pilot by the Guinness Book of Records, Gökçen flew around 8,000 hours and took part in 32 different military operations during her career. She has received numerous awards, including the Gold Medal of the Fédération Internationale de l’Aviation in 1991, and was the only woman selected for the “20 Greatest Aviators in History” poster in 1996.

Vecihi Hürkuş : The first male pilot of the Turkish Republic

Ciftgul’s second work depicts Vecihi Hürkuş, a Turkish fighter pilot and brilliant aeronautical engineer. Hürkuş built Turkey’s first aircraft, the Vecihi K-IV, and founded the country’s first civilian flying school. His contributions have been recognised with numerous honorary awards, underlining his pioneering role in Turkish aviation.

A cultural bridge between Turkey and Japan

This exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum not only celebrated the centenary of friendship between Turkey and Japan, but also provided a platform for artists from both countries to share their visions and inspirations. By highlighting the diversity and richness of artistic expression, the event strengthened cultural ties and promoted mutual understanding between the two nations.

Visitors to the exhibition had the opportunity to discover the depth and variety of the works on display, each piece telling a unique story and reflecting the cultural heritage of the artists. In conclusion, this artistic celebration marked an important moment in the history of Turkish-Japanese relations and symbolised a promising future of cooperation and enriching cultural exchanges.

Calendar - News - Photography

Yasuhiro Ishimoto: A bridge between two cultures honoured at LE BAL

le photographe japonais Yasuhiro Ishimoto expose au Le Bal

Kochi Prefecture, Ishimoto Yasuhiro Photo Center

For the first time in Europe, the Japanese photographer Yasuhiro Ishimoto is being celebrated with a major retrospective.

From 19 June to 17 November 2024, Paris will be the scene of an exceptional photographic event with the Yasuhiro Ishimoto exhibition at LE BAL. Organised in collaboration with the Ishimoto Yasuhiro Photo Center at the Museum of Art in Kochi, Japan, the exhibition will highlight an artist who is often overlooked in France and offer European visitors an insight into the work of a key figure in twentieth-century photography.

Born in San Francisco in 1921 to Japanese parents, Ishimoto grew up in Japan before returning to the United States, where he was interned during the Second World War because of his origins. After his release, he joined the Institute of Design in Chicago, a centre influenced by the ideals of the Bauhaus. It was here that Ishimoto forged his photographic eye, combining formal rigour with aesthetic sensitivity.

The exhibition features 169 vintage prints that take visitors on a journey through the artist’s early decades between Chicago and Japan. Visitors will discover how Ishimoto, described by American photographer Minor White as ‘visually bilingual’, fused the formal approaches of the New Bauhaus with the nuances of Japanese aesthetics.

According to Ikko Tanaka, a renowned graphic designer, Ishimoto represents an “intellectual and rigorous modernism” that has influenced many artists. His photographs, often compared to the sculptures of Brancusi, show a profound reflection on form, space and light, reflecting both his Japanese roots and his Western upbringing.

In addition to his aesthetic contributions, Ishimoto also pioneered the publication of photography books, with seminal works such as ‘Someday, Somewhere’ (1958), which redefined the genre. These books are also included in the exhibition, demonstrating his desire to push back the boundaries of the photographic medium.

As well as celebrating Ishimoto’s work, the exhibition at LE BAL invites us to reflect on the interactions between culture, identity and artistic expression. It raises questions about the impact of cultural background and life experience on artistic creation, and offers visitors an opportunity to reflect on how art can serve as a bridge between cultures.

News - Painting

Sylvie Dubal : Apocalypse and hope at the CAC in Perpignan

Sylvie Dubal Centre d'art contemporain de Perpignan

The City of Perpignan’s Department of Culture is pleased to announce a fascinating new exhibition of works by Swiss artist Sylvie Dubal. Known for her distinctive style of anticipatory painting, Dubal offers a profound reflection on the human condition and the threats of modernity through a series of works that will leave no one indifferent.

News

Benjamin Vautier, alias Ben, has died : an inimitable artist has left us

wikipedia

The world of contemporary art is in mourning. Benjamin Vautier, better known as Ben, died on Wednesday at his home in Saint-Pancrace, near Nice, at the age of 88. His death came just hours after that of his wife, Annie Vautier. According to an official statement from his family, the artist took his own life because he could not imagine life without her.

An instantly recognisable style

Ben was best known for his childlike calligraphy in white letters on a black background. These clear, unique inscriptions had become his signature, an instantly recognisable logo. For over fifty years, words have been at the heart of his work, combining concept and popularity, history and current events.

A rich and varied artistic career

Born in Switzerland on 18 July 1935, Ben began his artistic career in a bookshop and stationery shop in Nice, which his mother had bought to encourage him to find a career. He quickly transformed the shop into an exhibition and meeting place for the young avant-garde artists of Nice. Le Laboratoire 32, which became the Ben Doute de Tout Gallery, became an emblematic space for contemporary art.

In 1975, his work entered the collections of the Musée National d’Art Moderne in Paris, confirming his influence and talent.

Art and life, an inseparable unity

For Ben, art could never be separated from life. His house in Saint-Pancrace, known as ‘Chez Malabar et Cunégonde’, was a place where he lived, created and discussed his art. Filled with works, archives and salvaged objects, it is now the Fondation du doute, a living tribute to Ben’s philosophy of limitless artistic proliferation, where the subsistence economy of salvage and barter replaces the capitalist art market.

A key figure in the Fluxus movement

In the late 1950s, Ben met Arman, Yves Klein and other Nouveau Réalisme artists. These meetings had a profound influence on his work. In 1962 he attended the Festival of Misfits in London, where he met George Maciunas, the founder of the Fluxus movement. The following year, Ben organised a series of Fluxus events in Nice, marking the arrival of the movement in France.

His travels, notably to New York in 1964, strengthened his connection with Fluxus, and he never ceased to carry its message while cultivating his own singularity.

Conceptual and activist art

Ben used simple gestures to create powerful works of art. His calligraphic statements, often provocative and humorous, engage the public in dialogue, provoking reaction and debate. He plays with contradictions, asserting the inseparability of art and life.

His works, whether signed objects or performances, aim to change our perception of the world, not by adding new objects, but by reinterpreting those that already exist.

The legacy of an unforgettable artist

Ben’s death leaves a huge void in the art world. His work, characterised by a relentless search for truth and a constant questioning of the art world, will continue to inspire and provoke. His unique approach, combining simplicity and depth, reached a wide audience and made art accessible to all.

Benjamin Vautier, aka Ben, was more than an artist: he was a philosopher of art, a gentle provocateur and an essential figure in contemporary art. His legacy will live on, reminding us of the importance of innovation, diversity and the integration of art into all aspects of life.