I have to admit that its felt like a while since I’ve come across any contemporary artwork that has felt new and humbling. The latest issue of Damn Magazine has Chinese contemporary artist Zhang Huan’s work on it’s cover. Although I’ve seen images of Huan’s work in the past, I can not say that I was at all familiar with his work, nor have I seen his newer works personally. Zhang is primarily known as a performance and photo artist. He has put a temporary stop to performance as his more recent work has moved more towards sculpture and drawing.

The fascination with the newer work in not due to the imagery nor scale of the works, but to the primary material; burnt incense ash. Zhang Huan uses incense ash that has been gathered from Buddhist temples for both his drawings and sculptures. Incense ash, a simple and accessible material, carries within it deep roots in China’s religious/cultural traditions, as well as the prayers and wishes of an endless number of people.

Through the countless personal histories contained within one delicate material, Zhang Huan’s newer work seems extremely touching, very grounded and yet accessible no many levels. Even thought the Buddhist practice dictates that the experience outweighs the final material form, in Zhang’s case, both are quite humbling.

Zhang Huan links:
  + Youtube: Altered States: Art of Zhang Huan and Zhang Huan Studio
  + Saatchi Gallery