OPEN YOUR HEART ÓLI G.JÓHANNSSON & MA TSE LIN

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Suzanna Chase
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1 OPEN YOUR HEART ÓLI G.JÓHANNSSON & MA TSE LIN

2 2 Óli G. Jóhannsson That explains a lot P 02 My concept of freedom P 04 Welcome to Negrar P 05 Guiding the flock P 06 I tried to tell P 07 A long silence P 08 At the same time P 09 There must be another entrance P 10 After a figurative intermezzo P 11 Without complaining or explaining P 12 Often it must be P 13 On both sides P 14 If one attempts to explain P 15 biography In the field of abstract musings the canvas often hosts a kaleidoscope of blotches and brushstrokes, with many an earnest artist running the risk of their works descending rapidly into a mess of chaos and cliché with nary a trace of meaning nor the chance of a breakthrough. It is therefore bold when an artist like Óli G. Jóhannsson still chooses to express his sentiments and experiences with an expressed maelstrom of painterly effects that result in complex statements of art and life. In this respect this artist s gumption in his craft is matched by the vividness of his compositions, an ever expanding acrylic extension of his self that portrays both life and living. The nucleus of Johannsson s art lies in his quest for meanings in these random yet studied slashes and strokes. Guided only by instinct and talent, his canvasses of abstract vivacity are resolutely about change, yet also continuity. That explains a lot Acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm x 39.4 in.

3 4 5 My concept of freedom Acrylic on canvas 145 x 145 cm - 57 x 57 in. Welcome to Negrar Acrylic on canvas 90 x 90 cm x 35.4 in.

4 6 7 Guiding the flock Acrylic on canvas 145 x 145 cm - 57 x 57 in. I tried to tell Acrylic on canvas 145 x 145 cm - 57 x 57 in.

5 8 9 A long silence Acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm x 39.4 in. At the same time Acrylic on canvas 145 x 145 cm - 57 x 57 in.

6 10 11 There must be another entrance Acrylic on canvas 145 x 145 cm - 57 x 57 in. After a figurative intermezzo Acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm x 39.4 in.

7 12 13 Without complaining or explaining Acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm x 39.4 in. Often it must be Acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm x 39.4 in.

8 14 15 On both sides Acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm x 39.4 in. If one attempts to explain Acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm x 39.4 in.

9 16 ma tse lin biography Bouddha en larmes no.63/2005 Bouddha jaune no.68/2006 Bouddha demi-rouge no.31/2007 Bouddha assis no.64/2006 Bouddha no.27/2000 Bouddha mille mains Bouddha assis no.60/2006 Bouddha no.7/2000 Bouddha assis no.61/2006 Bouddha d or no.25/2007 Naissance de la liberté no.23/2008 Bouddha marron no.24/2007 Bouddha bleu no.13/2007 P 16 P 18 P 19 P 20 P 21 P 22 P 23 P 24 P 25 P 26 P 27 P 28 P 29 MA TSE LIN arrived in France in 1985 thanks to his grandfather whose friend, the famous painter ZAO WOU KI, obtained an invitation from the French Government. This gave him the privilege of becoming one of the first Chinese contemporary artists to discover the Western world. He was admitted to L Ecole des Arts Décoratifs of Paris where he began his career as a painter at a time when ART BRUT was in full throe on the art scene. Whilst visiting Shanghai in the late nineties, MA TSE LIN came face to face with the Ming Buddha Sculptures in the garden of one of the most venered temples. This important discovery remained engraved in his memory. On returning to Paris, he started painting portraits of Buddha for which he soon gained fame and recognition among the most important collectors in the world. Ma s portraits are strongly influenced by Chinese philosophy. The artist thrives in mixing contrasting elements that never blend smoothly, such as water and oil; gold foil and scraps of newspaper. Born in Guangdong (China) in 1960, MA TSE LIN was witness to the horrors of the Cultural Revolution (in the summer of 1966), an experience that marked him for life. And in a way, his Buddha portraits are a fascinating attempt to embrace both traditional and modern China, an issue that concerns all of us. Bouddha en larmes no.63/2005 Oil and acrylic on canvas 160 x 160 cm - 63 x 63 in.

10 18 19 Bouddha jaune no.68/2006 Oil and acrylic on canvas 160 x 160 cm - 63 x 63 in. Bouddha demi-rouge no.31/2007 Oil and acrylic on canvas 150 x 150 cm - 59 x 59 in.

11 20 21 Bouddha assis no. 64/2006 Oil and acrylic on canvas 154 x 154 cm x 60.6 in. Bouddha no.27/2000 Oil and acrylic on canvas 100 x 100 cm x 39.4 in.

12 22 23 Bouddha mille mains Chinese lacquer on polymer resin 130 x 130 cm x 51.2 in. Bouddha assis no.60/2006 Oil and acrylic on canvas 154 x 154 cm x 60.6 in.

13 24 25 Bouddha no.7/2000 Oil and acrylic on canvas 150 x 150 cm - 59 x 59 in. Bouddha assis no.61/2006 Oil and acrylic on canvas 154 x 154 cm x 60.6 in.

14 26 27 Bouddha d or no.25/2007 Oil and acrylic on canvas 110 x 110 cm x 43.3 in. Naissance de la liberté no.23/2008 Oil and acrylic on canvas 160 x 160 cm - 63 x 63 in.

15 28 29 Bouddha marron no.24/2008 Oil and acrylic on canvas 155 x 155 cm - 61 x 61 in. Bouddha bleu no.13/2007 Oil and acrylic on canvas 155 x 155 cm - 61 x 61 in.

tonality blue and white which she combines to evoke an imaginary but universal landscape, willing the spirit to partake in a great journey.

tonality blue and white which she combines to evoke an imaginary but universal landscape, willing the spirit to partake in a great journey. Artcurial will host a Pre-War and Contemporary Art auction during a week devoted to 20 th century art. Three major pieces by artists Zao Wou-Ki and Chu Teh Chun will open the auction cycle. Abstract masters