Dumonteil Contemporary’s upcoming exhibition fot Asia NOW 2024 brings together two distinct yet interconnected voices in contemporary Chinese art: Weng Jijun and Liane Chu. Both artists, although from different stages in their careers, share a profound engagement with their cultural heritage and an exploration of materiality that roots their work in tradition while pushing artistic boundaries.

Weng Jijun, a master of Chinese lacquer, has been a central figure in the gallery’s programming, with five exhibitions in both their Shanghai and Paris spaces. His latest body of work, Lueur des Astres, showcases his mastery of this ancient technique, inviting viewers to explore humanity’s cosmic connections. Through the meditative application of lacquer, Weng investigates the intersection of matter and memory, bringing to life the symbolic relationship between earthly existence and the vastness of the universe. His work offers a visual language that captures the essence of lacquer’s materiality and cultural significance, evoking a sense of timelessness and contemplation.

In contrast, Dumonteil Contemporary is thrilled to introduce Liane Chu, an emerging talent, whose work, exhibited first at Taipei Dangdai in 2024 and most recently in New York, is already generating significant acclaim. Chu’s practice, deeply rooted in the exploration of form and texture, resonates with Weng’s through its engagement with tradition, yet her approach is innovative and fresh, representing the voice of a new generation. Asia Now’s 2024 edition marks her French debut.