Internationally renowned paper sculptor Li Hongbo transforms ordinary old books into extraordinary works of art. A beautiful way to celebrate the season of flowers, this renewal of life where the field of all possibilities blossoms…

A PAPER ARTIST

A graduate of the Beijing Academy of Fine Arts, Li Hongbo discovered the art of paper through Chinese folk crafts. As the birthplace of Xuan paper, or rice paper, China cultivates ancestral know-how in paper cutting, painting, and calligraphy. These traditional techniques are perpetuated by many Chinese to bring joy and beauty to their living spaces!
Inherited from the Han dynasty, which dates back to the 3rd century BCE, Chinese lanterns are the very embodiment of this paper art. Over the centuries, these decorative objects have refined their texture and structure, revealing the limitless properties of their primary material. Inspired by the wisdom and preciousness emanating from these traditional creations, Li Hongbo has revived this once-obsolete craft through sculptures made from folded paper. These fascinating works of art irresistibly captivate the public and intrigue art lovers. For beyond technical prowess, Li Hongbo offers a profound reflection on the meaning of existence. Formerly a publisher, the artist has developed a particular affinity for paper as a vehicle for education and culture. Behind his sculptures lie inexhaustible sources of knowledge. Sometimes art, too, has the merit of enriching our paths of reflection and understanding.

A MATERIAL WITH AMAZING PROPERTIES

There's a Chinese saying that claims "life is as fragile as paper." This might seem terrifying if one doesn't know the hidden virtues of this material, which is stronger than it appears. Seduced by this malleable material that allows for astonishing forms, Li Hongbo glimpsed the flexible nature of paper through traditional Chinese honeycomb lanterns. From this artisanal technique, the artist developed a meticulous process that involves stacking and gluing thousands of sheets of paper—more than 20,000 on average—which he then sculpts like a block of marble. In his hands, sculptures come to life that, at first glance, seem solid and rigid, but when touched or moved, stretch and unfold like an accordion. This surprising elasticity has become the signature of his work! With "The Blossom," Li Hongbo pushes the boundaries of perception even further by expanding his repertoire to include books. Now, the artist meticulously assembles printed works that have already had a life. Within these solid blocks of paper, he sculpts human figures with incredible precision, imbuing them with intricate details and rich textures. This adds a new dimension to his art! Giving new life to these repositories of knowledge and history allows him to explore the relationship between artistic form and literary content. The artist's sculptures are intended to be both visually captivating and intellectually stimulating.

CULTIVATING AMBIGUITY

Tactile and visual marvels, Li Hongbo's sculptures are never what they first appear. The artist cherishes the idea that reality is always ambiguous. Sparking his audience's curiosity, he reminds them that what they see with their own eyes is ultimately only an interpretation. What seemed hard reveals itself to be supple, what was static becomes fluid, what appeared to be a smooth surface transforms into a rough, honeycomb-like paper bark. This inversion of values ​​transforms realistic plaster busts into a long paper accordion, or sculptures with shimmering colors and covered in freshly bloomed flowers into a pile of stacked books! With Li Hongbo, paper and books become materials full of surprises. And his undeniably strange and unsettling works certainly attest to this! A tribute to the power of minds shaped by reading, his work stirs the soul. Let's hope our lives reveal as many surprises as these sheets of paper…

"THE BLOSSOM"
DANYSZ GALLERY 78, RUE AMELOT, PARIS 11TH
FROM SEPTEMBER 5 TO 28, 2024
DANYSZGALLERY.COM