Page 149 - International Iconic July 2024

PE N G
WEI

eijing-based artist Peng Wei was born in 1974 in Chengdu, This presented lot is part of a series of Chinese robes that the
China. The artist completed her BA in Chinese Painting in artist rendered on rice paper using the ink and wash technique.
B 1997, followed by a Masters Degree in Philosophy in 2000 The robe, depicted in an elegant, classical style, features soft,
from the Nankai University, Tianjin. She’s an active member of the pastel-blue mountains and serene waters. The neck and sleeve
China Fine Arts Association and presently works as a senior faculty hemlines are painted to resemble brocade trimmings.
at the Beijing Fine Art Academy. The artist has showcased her works in several solo and
Peng Wei was deeply influenced by the paintings created by group exhibitions. Her solo exhibition includes Migrations of
her father, Peng Xiancheng. She developed her artistic skills under Memory-The Poetry and Power of Music, Cleveland Museum of
his guidance at a young age and was able to gain experience in Art, Ohio (2021); Feminine Space, Tina Keng Gallery, Taipei and
a variety of techniques and methods. The artist draws inspiration Guangdong Museum of Art, Guangzhou (2020); Old Tales Retold,
from her everyday experiences, such as a conversation with a Tang Contemporary Art, Beijing (2019); I Thought of You, Suzhou
friend, television shows, ancient paintings, the experience of Museum, China (2017); and many more.

“I always strive to create a more perfect work. We need perfection,

but the meaning of life lies not in perfection, but in love.”

shopping, and other seemingly normal ideas to tell her story. The The Poetry and Power of Music, Cleveland Museum of Art,
artist has worked across mediums such as painting, photography, Ohio (2021); The Consciousness Flows Within, Asia University
installation, and video to express her creative thought process and Museum of Modern Art, Taichung (2020); Brilliant Portrayals of
interpret her visions. Beijing Spanning 70 Years Selected Painting Works, National Art
Through her work, she merges the past with the present. A Museum of China, Beijing (2019); are some of the group exhibitions
reflection of this is visible in her art. “I always strive to create a more where Wei presented her artworks.
perfect work. We need perfection, but the meaning of life lies not Peng Wei’s works are part of numerous collections
in perfection but in love,” the artist once said, which are reflected worldwide, including the National Art Museum of China, the Asian
in her exceptional body of work. Art Museum of San Francisco, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the
Wei incorporates the traditional Chinese painting style Guangdong Art Museum, the He Xiangning Art Museum, the Uli
with contemporary forms and materials to give her art a unique Sigg Collection, the M+ Museum, the DSL Collection, among
perspective and dimension. Feminine space, landscape painting others. One of her 2012 works Letters From a Distance, won the
traditions, and translation between Eastern and Western cultures APB Foundation Signature Art Prize 2014. She was also among
are dominant themes in her work. While working on her paintings, the twenty-five artists in the ‘Contemporary Art from China: Visual
her brushwork technique is focused on the breath, where she Expression Through Ink and Paper’ exhibition. The artist continues
follows the lead of the brush. to work and lives in Beijing, China.