Internationally renowned paper sculptor Li Hongbo transforms ordinary old books into extraordinary works of art. A lovely way to celebrate the season of flowers, the renewal of life when the field of all possibilities opens up...

A PAPER ARTIST

A graduate of the Beijing School of Fine Arts, Li Hongbo discovered the art of paper through popular Chinese crafts. As the birthplace of xuan paper, or rice paper, China cultivates ancestral know-how in cutting, painting and calligraphy. Traditional techniques that many Chinese perpetuate to bring joy and beauty to their living spaces!
Inherited from the Han dynasty dating back to the 3rd century BC, Chinese lanterns are the very embodiment of this paper art. Over the centuries, these decorative objects have improved in texture and structure, revealing the limitless properties of their flagship material. Inspired by the wisdom and preciousness that emanate from these traditional creations, Li Hongbo has restored a bygone craft to its former glory with sculptures of folded paper sheets. Fascinating works of art that captivate audiences and intrigue art lovers. For beyond technical prowess, Li Hongbo offers a genuine reflection on the meaning of existence. A former publisher, the artist has developed a particular affection for paper as a vehicle for education and culture. Behind his sculptures lie inexhaustible sources of knowledge. Sometimes art also has the merit of enriching our paths of reflection and understanding...

A MATERIAL WITH ASTONISHING PROPERTIES

There's a Chinese saying that "life is as fragile as paper". This may sound terrifying if you don't know the hidden virtues of this material, which is stronger than it looks. Seduced by this ductile material, which allows astonishing shapes, Li Hongbo glimpses the flexible nature of paper through traditional Chinese honeycomb lanterns. Based on this artisanal technique, the artist has perfected a meticulous process that involves stacking and gluing thousands of sheets of paper - over 20,000 on average - which he then comes to sculpt like a block of marble. In his hands, sculptures come to life that, at first glance, appear solid and rigid, but which, when touched or moved, stretch and unfold like an accordion. A surprising elasticity that has become the signature of his work! With "The Blossom", Li Hongbo pushes the boundaries of perception a little further by expanding his repertoire to include books. Now, the artist carefully assembles printed works that have already had a life of their own. In these solid blocks of paper, he sculpts human figures with incredible precision, intricate detail and rich texture. Adding an extra dimension to his art! Bringing these reservoirs of knowledge and history back to life allows him to explore the relationship between artistic form and literary content. The artist's sculptures are both visually captivating and intellectually stimulating.

CULTIVATING AMBIGUITY

Tactile and visual marvels, Li Hongbo's sculptures are never what they seem at first glance. The artist loves the idea that reality is always equivocal. By arousing his audience's curiosity, he reminds them that what they see with their own eyes is always ultimately an interpretation. What seemed hard turns soft, what was static becomes moving, what looked like a smooth surface turns into a rough, honeycombed paper bark. A reversal of values that transforms realistic plaster busts into a long paper accordion, or shimmering sculptures covered with freshly bloomed flowers into a sum of stacked books! With Li Hongbo, paper and books become materials full of surprises. And there's no denying her strange and disturbing works! A tribute to the strength of minds shaped by reading, her work turns hearts upside down. Let's hope our lives reveal as many surprises as these sheets of paper...

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