“The grids and crosses were first used as a way to express myself in a free but orderly way—as an escape from oppressive social standards—but now they have become my unique artistic language that help me to go deeper into the painting.” — Ding Yi
Born 1962 in Shanghai, Ding Yi is considered a pioneer in abstract art in China. Over the past decades, the artist has gained recognition in the art world for his signature style, which typically involves the use of crosses and grids. These recurring motifs which Ding has been implementing as part of his practice since the late 1980s, either in the form of "+" or "x", are meticulously rendered across his canvases.
The present work hails from Ding Yi’s ‘Appearance of Crosses’ series, showcased at his solo exhibition Appearance of Crosses at Nova Contemporary in Thailand, 2020. The techniques used by Ding Yi involve a meticulous application of paint with rulers, tape, and drafting pens, giving the impression of mechanical printing and emphasising the high level of precision that makes his work distinctive. Despite the apparent simplicity of the motifs, there is a profound complexity in his paintings, with each work demanding extensive labour, often involving 15-hour days for six months at a time.
The artworks, while evocative of various objects and symbols like rattan, tartan, QR Codes, and crucifixes, are not intended to be symbolic interpretations from the viewer's perspective. The intense colour and dimensionality in Ding’s work, experimenting with both monochromatic and fluorescent tones, create geometric shapes that appear both minimalistic and complex. This paradox is central to his art where the simplicity of the motif contrasts with the intricacy of the overall painting. In the present work, the red colour is used in varying tones to offer a visual intensity that suggests universal humanism themes beyond the values associated with dominant cultures.
Ding Yi's crosses are more than just a pattern; they are a meditation on urbanisation and the transformation of Chinese society. They invite the viewer to discard preconceived interpretations and to be fully present in the act of observing. His work is a continual expansion of his unique language in contemporary abstract art, promising the ongoing evolution of his trademark crosses. The acclaimed artist is having his solo exhibition Ding Yi: Homeland and Journey at Huamao Museum of Art Education and Ningbo Art Museum until March 2024.
Provenance
Nova Contemporary, Bangkok Acquired from the above by the present owner
Exhibited
Bangkok, Nova Contemporary, Appearance of Crosses, 10 January - 14 March 2020