“Calligraphy is the most representational of the oriental spirit. Just like what the ancients say, ‘A person is reflected through his writing’. Through calligraphy, we can see the aesthetic structure and stroke severity, but also a person’s character. Oriental culture focus on the ‘spirit’, and this charm is reflected in my works.’ – Renowned Chinese contemporary sculptor Ren Zhe
Ren Zhe uses exaggerated skills and extracts the essence of the East & West culture to be reflected in his works. The emotions & ‘qi’ (energy) are beautifully fused, which achieved the purpose of the sculptures being not only visually astonishing but also becoming a spiritual & cultural capsule.
“The Transcendent meets the Warrior”
In 2014, “Captain Jack Sparrow” Johnny Depp came to China and although he stayed in Beijing for only 48 hours, he insisted on a special visit to sculptor Ren Zhe’s studio and together, explored more of the Chinese contemporary art scene and sculptural art.
Johnny Depp is known as “The most Talented Actor”, “God’s gift to Tim Burton”, “Hollywood’s most Variable Face”, “The world’s Sexiest Men”. “Captain Jack Sparrow” is very fond of Ren Zhe’s Warrior sculptures and hit it off immediately with the artist.
Depp also tried his hands on sculpture making. It was amazing to see two of the most striking artists in their respective fields interacting & working on one creation together. Upon completion, Ren Zhe even improvised a hat for the sculpture identical to the one Depp was wearing.
“Guardians of the Sky”
In the Beijing Parkview Group’s building lies the world’s biggest private Salvador Dali sculpture collection. In a place as artistic as this, four heavenly Warriors solemnly stand guard. They are the creations of Ren Zhe, namely, ‘Azure Dragon’, ‘White Tiger’, ‘Vermilion Bird’ and ‘Black Tortoise’, each representing the directions ‘North’, ‘South’, ‘East’, ‘West’, creating a perfect energy field.
These guardians of the sky represent the Quartet twenty-eight stars, each figure shows a temperament, their movements, expressions and clothing are very oriental, creating a mystical energy surrounded by ancient legends and myths.
“Academic Commentary”
In any sculpture on the theme of ancient Chinese warriors and servants, Ren Zhe did not deliberately ‘characterize’ the characters, but used the engraved means of expression of the strong dynamics of the sculptures and the spirit of modality.
– Huang Du (curator, art critic)
His art focuses on the inner experience of the individual. They have a keen sense of intuition, full of imagination and enthusiasm for the dramatic changes in modern society, in a conscious alienation of the state to complete the inseparable relationship with the times.
– Yin Shuangxi (Professor of Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China)
Ren Zhe loves calligraphy and has a profound experience in terms of the rhythmic quality of Chinese calligraphy. So his works contain that strength that is obviously very ‘Chinese’ in spirit but contemporary in execution.
– Peng Feng (Professor, Peking University School of Art, Beijing, China)
“Enlightenment”
For Ren Zhe, the formation of his present creative style is wasn’t an easy path to explore. For a long time, Ren Zhe was deeply influenced by Western culture, since the art training received during his university days was mostly spread from the West.
During his third year in University, Ren Zhe to travelled to the town Pingyao for a sketching trip and resided in the Shuanglin Temple for close to a month. Every day he sketched and created mini versions of the 1400 pieces of clay deity figurines that were more than 2000 years old. That period of influence on Ren Zhe was great and left a lasting visual impression on him, especially the iconic Four Guardian Warriors who stood majestically beneath the pillars in the main palace of the temple.
It was at that time that Ren Zhe became artistically enlightened as he understood the true essence of the traditional Chinese culture through those painted clay sculptures. “Their quiet appearances contrast to the strong & bold emotions they stir within you when you look at them”. The traditional ‘Essence, Energy & Spirit 精气神’ belief that the Chinese people pay attention to was in fact, a powerful energy that gathered from within instead of external brute force. Historical influences highlighted the unique features of the Orient’s subtle, introverted character because they do not advocate bloody and killing. The sense of strength of the East is often reflected ironically, through this peace & tranquility.
Western figure sculptures pay attention to space, structure, surface and the body image based on mechanics and anatomy. Chinese figure sculptures are ‘wrapped’ within the skin, focusing on the overall gentle flow of the figure. The 206 pieces of bones are invisible yet, the grace and solid presence can be truly felt. Sometimes outweighing the muscular appearance of Western sculpture figures.
Ren Zhe has his own unique understanding of ‘cultural integration’. Eastern and Western cultures are not contradictory. Because the essence of beauty aesthetics is to return to the roots of mankind, and human nature’s good faith and sincerity are the basis of our aesthetic pursue. Good art will break through borders, geographic and nationality restrictions to resonate with people, and this is the ultimate status that Ren Zhe’s works attained.
