Liu Wei

signed in Chinese and Pinyin, titled in English and dated 2007 on the reverse 

Grace Li Gallery, Zurich
Private Collection, Europe

Austria, Graz, Universalmuseum Joanneum, China Welcomes You, 7 June - 2 September, 2007

This work is generally in good condition. There are wear and handling marks around the edges. Please note that it was not examined under ultraviolet light.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Constructing a Real and Virtual Beijing
Liu Wei

As one of the most acclaimed young Chinese artists in recent years, Liu Wei’s creative span is unsurprisingly extensive, having studied a wide range of works. And though the connection between his works may not seem apparent, through different installations, sculptures, videos and paintings, such as his famous Love It, Bite It, (2007), Porcelain (2006) and The Outcast (2007), which were created halfway during his creative career, we can still see the faint outlines of the city, and it is clear that he is observing social interactions. “I have always been interested in society, and even when I create works of art, I always show my interest in social issues.” ¹

Purple Air VI No.1 (Lot 866) is truly representative of Liu’s Purple Air series, and has previously been shown at Austria’s Joanneum Graz Art Museum’s “China Welcomes You” exhibition. The work is a triptych, measuring five metres in total, and coupled with its ostentation, fully embodies the essence of the series. The Purple Air series is a collection of oil paintings created by the artist beginning in 2006. The composition of the series was generated by the artist on the computer, and Purple Air VI No.1 is no exception. From the works, we can see that the body of the piece is made up of countless straight, mainly grey lines, packed together tightly, evoking at once the effect of the high-rise buildings in the urban landscape in china, at once a virtual world of data and pixels. These works are void of any trace of brushstrokes, exploring the significance of painting in the modern world. When speaking about the Purple Series, Liu Wei does not deny that the depicted object is indeed the cityscape of Beijing: “There is an ancient Chinese saying that goes, if you see a place that seems clouded by purple air, completely grey, then it means that the place is filled with vibrancy; it could be filled with problems, or it could also be filled with energy.”²

Liu Wei was born in Beijing in 1972, and graduated from the Chinese Academy of Fine Arts in 1996. He has in recent years been repeatedly invited to participate in large scale exhibitions, including the 2005 Venice Biennale and the 2007 Lyon Biennale, and in 2008 was even awarded the Chinese Contemporary Art Awards (CCAA). Purple Air VI No. 1 allows us into the artist’s mind, but also reveals the intricate details behind the piece. And released physically and also virtually, it is as if the piece bears witness to the urbanisation in China wholeheartedly, from all angles. The Purple Air series is the culmination of Liu Wei’s ever-changing creative approaches; the end of a pursuit of the artist’s distinct, and most importantly, best mode of expression.

1 “Almost Now: Hans Ulrich Obrist Interviews Liu Wei”, Liu Wei, Trilogy Charta 2011
2 Jérome Sans, “Interviewing Liu Wei”, China Talks, China: Timezone 8, 2009