Interpreting the symbiotic relationship between people and objects with PABLO NOW
Amid the bustling cities and the ever-growing tide of consumerism, the presence of "objects" seems self-evident. But have we truly understood them? In October, Beijing unveiled artist Li Bangyao's latest solo exhibition, Beyond Matenalism. Through the symbolism of "objects," the exhibition delves into the profound connections between humanity, materiality, civilization, and development. With the language of art, it sheds light on modern society's alienation of individuals and explores potential "paths to redemption."
Telling the Story of Civilization Through “Objects”
As an artist with nearly four decades of creative exploration, Li Bangyao's works have consistently focused on the multifaceted significance of "objects." In the Beyond Materialism exhibition, he employs a diverse array of object forms and symbolic language to continue his long-standing perspective on social history, offering viewers an opportunity to reexamine the relationship between objects and humanity.
EEach piece in the exhibition—whether ordinary or eccentric—carries the artist's profound humanistic care. With meticulous artistic expression, Li explores how "objects" become reflections of human desire in a consumer society and how, in turn, these objects shape and dominate human lifestyles. He prompts us to pay attention to the often-overlooked objects of daily life, which, in their silence, reveal our attitudes toward living, resources, and the environment.
PABLO NOW: A Dialogue Between Art and Home
In this exhibition, PABLO NOW joined as a partner, infusing the show with its signature home furnishing elements and creating a unique dialoguewith Li Bangyao’s works. By repurposing leftover leather scraps and other discarded materials from PABLO NOW production process, Li gave these industrial byproducts new life, transforming them into art. This re-creation of industrial products into artistic rebirth reflects a profound contemplation of the material life cycle. As Li Bangyao remarked, PABLO NOW furniture is not merely functional but serves as symbols of consumer society and cultural carriers. Through this collaboration, he seeks to explore how the meaning of objects can transcend their physical form to become spiritual symbols.
PABLO NOW philosophy of "bringing art into everyday life" resonates throughout the exhibition. The integrationof Pablo's materials with Li Bangyao’s creations beautifully illustrates the fusion of art and daily living spaces. Through this collaborative effort,PABLO NOW not only demonstrates its unwavering support for the arts but also reinforces its commitment to sustainable design and a refined aesthetic for contemporary living.
Carnal Production No.1
Carnal Production No.2
From Exhibition to Everyday Life: Reflections on the Continuity of Art
This collaboration marks another milestone in PABLO NOW journey toward making "art a part of daily life." Just as Li Bangyao delves into the relationship between objects and people in his work, PABLO NOW seeks to remind audiences through this exhibition that art is not an unattainable ideal but something that should seamlessly integrate into our everyday lives. This philosophy is evident not only in the brand’s support for art exhibitions but also in the design and presentation of PABLO NOW products—each piece embodies a pursuit of life’s inherent beauty.
In the Beyond Matenalism exhibition, we witness not only the artist's profound insights but also PABLO NOW unwavering commitment to embedding art into life. From the rebirth of materials to the exploration of the spirit, this exhibition offers a unique opportunity to rediscover poetry in modern living. Art, life, and the spaces we call home come together here to form a complete and harmonious aesthetic tapestry.
PABLO NOW firmly believes that art is not merely an embellishment for life but an indispensable part of it.Looking ahead, PABLO NOW will continue to support the arts with tangible action, using design to blur the boundaries between home and art, and offering endless possibilities to those who cherish the beauty of life.
展览：《李邦耀：物物》
Li Bangyao: Beyond Matenalism
时间：2024.10.19 - 12.9
策展人：皮道坚
Curator: Pi Daojian
联合主办：巽美术馆、当代唐人艺术中心
Co-organized: Duende Art Museum、Tang Contemporary Art
地点：当代唐人艺术中心 北京第一空间
Tang Contemporary Art, Beijing 1st Gallery Space
关于艺术家
李邦耀
1954.5生于中国湖北省武汉市
华南师范大学美术学院教授
现工作生活于中国广州
Li Bang Yao
1954 b.wuhan.China,May
Currently working and living in Guangzhou.China
李邦耀，1978年毕业于湖北艺术学院美术系（今湖北美术学院），他的艺术创作始于20世纪八十年代初期，85’新潮时期曾参与组织“湖北部落、部落”艺术群体，重要成名作为《琅琊草与画架上的琅琊草与人》。九十年代初开始对“物”的研究，代表作品《产品托拉斯》，作品以“波普艺术”风格面世；自20世纪九十年代以来，他开始长达30多年对中国社会物与人、物与社会、物与家庭的深入研究；他的艺术创作大致可划分为三个阶段：1. 消费时代的物与人，2.关于物品符号、身份、神话，3.“物”与私人生活、家庭、物性的研究；代表作品有《重新看图识字》系列、《物种起源》系列、《室内》、《私人手册》 等，作品媒介涉足平面绘画、综合材料、装置、影像等；曾参加诸多国内外重要展览以及举办个人展览。
Li Bangyao started his artistic creation in the early 1980s after earning a degree in fine arts from the Hubei Institute of Arts (now the Hubei Academy of Fine Arts) in 1978. As a member of "The Tribe of Hubei"--a Wuhan-based art group active in the ’85 New Wave, he created his signature work "Concerto without Lang YaGrass". In the early 1990s, he began to investigate"Objects" and created the Pop-styled Product Trustsseries. Since the 1990s, he has spent more than three decades conducting extensive research on the relationships between objects and individuals, objects and society, and objects with families in Chinese society.His artistic creation can broadly be divided into three phases: 1. Objects and individuals in the era of consumption; 2. Regarding the symbols, identities and mysteries 3. The studyof "object", in relation to private life, family and its property; His representative works include the Re-Reading Pictures series, The Origin of Species series, Indoor, Private Manual, etc. Moreover, his media compositions involve graphic painting, comprehensive materials, installation and video, etc. He has participated in numerous significant exhibitions and solo exhibitions domestically and internationally.
