“We might not all speak the same language, but we can all read flowers”

- Zhuang Hong Yi

Eager to pursue an artist career, Zhuang Hong Yi immigrated to the Netherlands in 1992. With no prior experience abroad, all the language barriers that came with it at the time, and with only $1,000 to his name, Zhuang and his wife Lu Lou committed their lives to their passion and pursuit of art; even if it meant leaving everything and everyone they knew behind in China.

The stark contrast between the world Zhuang Hong Yi grew up with in China and the new life he was forging in Europe, paved the way for creativity and authentic inspiration in his work; but it would still require a great deal of patience.

In the 1980s and 90s, Zhuang's art was very conceptual, experimental, and abstract as he was attempting to find what art meant to him. After moving to the Netherlands, the imagery and idea of vast flower fields came into focus; but as he looked for the personal connection of these two lives, it wasn't until around the year 2000 when he first started to use the original rice paper flowers in his paintings. It took Zhuang another five years, around 2005, to make the first prototype of a flowerbed, and it took another seven years until 2012 for him to develop that idea and process into the body or work we identify as Zhuang's iconic work today.

If you were to ask Zhuang how long it takes him to create one his pieces, he could justifiably answer 32 years; because his creative journey, which took him from China to the Netherlands also required a tremendous amount of patience, creativity, and perseverance.

Medatative influences of Buddhism, from his background in China, helped Zhuang find patience and calmess, which resonate in both his creative process and the finished works themselves. Contrasted with Western art movements like Impressionism and Expressionism along with contemporary trends in all forms of art (i.e., literature, fashion, design, music) have inspired Zhuang's colors to often be more vibrant and bold.

It's this duality of imagery, process, media, and colors that brings authentic balance and harmony to Zhuang Hong Yi's work. And it's that duality which we're celebrating in our solo exhibition, East Meets West, on June 13th from 6-9pm at our River Oaks District gallery (4444 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas 77027)

Zhuang Hong Yi is celebrated for his innovative use of rice paper, creating mesmerizing sculptures that blend Eastern and Western artistic traditions. East Meets West, highlights the duality of his work: the intricate folding techniques symbolize Eastern craftsmanship, while the dynamic color transformations represent Western modernity.

Zhuang Hong Yi's work has been displayed in prestigious galleries and museums worldwide, earning him acclaim for his artistic vision and technical mastery. East Meets West is a significant showcase of his latest creations, offering art enthusiasts and collectors an opportunity to experience his transformative art up close in preparation for his upcoming museum showcase at Sammlung Pohl in Marburg, Germany.

East Meets West, wiil also feature a newly released hardcover book, which is a stunning tribute to the career of one of China's most celebrated contemporary artists. This comprehensive book chronicles Zhuang Hong Yi's artistic journey from his early years in China to his later works that have gained worldwide acclaim. The 184 page hardcover book is a must-have for art lovers and collectors alike, providing a rare glimpse into the mind and works of one of the most renowned Chinese contemporary artists today.

Zhuang Hong Yi East Meets West Exhibition Preview

Zhuang Hong Yi Biography

Chinese artist Zhuang Hong Yi draws inspiration from his appreciation for nature and flowers. Based in the Netherlands since 1990, Zhuang discovered that the Netherlands' love for flowers was similar to that of China’s. Their underlying symbols, such as peace, happiness, and prosperity, resonate across the two cultures and others around the world.

Zhuang Hong Yi’s paintings are made of delicate rice paper, acrylic, and oil paint. Vibrant flower bed-like landscapes are brought to life as he meditatively folds and paints each ‘bloom’. The sculptural canvases find the middle ground between being delicate and subtle yet vibrant and expressive in attempts to preserve emotions evoked by nature. The artist’s practice stays playful and becomes more refined when he experiments with color, canvas size, and the pattern of ‘petals’ he can create with paper. Zhuang makes curiosity irresistible to the viewer as the alluring works often shift from one color to another when the piece is experienced at different points of view. The contemplation around the artist’s present and past sense of self can be seen visually, in the transitions from hue to hue and in his creative process. The act of making for the artist is organized, emotional, gestural, and carefully curated.

Zhuang Hong Yi Artist Statement

“I want to give people a positive feeling, a happy feeling. Now the world is quite negative. I want people to look at my work and feel happy in that.”
-Zhuang Hong Yi

Zhuang Hong Yi's Art in Collections Worldwide

Zhuang Hong Yi’s works can be found in various private and public collections including the Museum of Sichuan Fine Art in China, the Groninger and Stadsmuseum Zoetermeer in the Netherlands, as well as New York, Abu Dhabi, London, Hong Kong and others.