ESLITE GALLERY to stage Benrei HUANG’s solo exhibition at Singapore art fair ART SG

Benrei HUANG, Beach day babysitting, Acrylic on canvas, 76 x 61 cm

At the beginning of 2023, ESLITE GALLERY is hopping over to ART SG in Singapore to present a solo exhibition by US-based artist Benrei HUANG. Through a bunny named Nini, she brings people on a therapeutic journey in the post-pandemic era.

Benrei HUANG, A piece of life, 2022, Acrylic on canvas,76 x 61 cm

With borders re-opening, international art fairs are also making a comeback. The long-awaited ART SG, dedicated to becoming the top art fair in Southeast Asia, will be held from January 11-15, 2023 (with January 11 as preview day) at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in the heart of Singapore. Featuring some 150 galleries from more than 30 countries, this grand event is expected to shape a unique cultural landscape in Asia as a premier platform for international contemporary art exchange.

Benrei HUANG, rainy day variation-collecting loose threads, 2022,Acrylic on canvas, 76 x 61 cm

Since her first Nini painting debuted in 2008, Benrei HUANG has not only used Nini as a protagonist in her creations, but also as her spokesperson—Nini’s crystal-clear eyes and sometimes amusing expressions are HUANG’s account of her thoughts and perception of life.

Benrei HUANG, Will I ever be like you, 2022 ,Acrylic on canvas, 76 x 61 cm

A total of 25 paintings, 4 sculptures and 8 print works created by HUANG in the past two years are slated to be on display at ART SG. Among them, a life-size 169-cm sculpture of Nini titled Rainy days variation will be greeting the visitors in the ESLITE GALLERY exhibition space.

Benrei HUANG, Rainy days variation, 2022, Spray paint on fiberglass, stainless steel, 169 x 101 x 86 cm

HUANG’s recent works reflect on the various aspects of life under the global pandemic. The COVID-19 outbreak at the end of 2019 took the world by storm—people have been worried about being infected and lives have been flipped upside down. Year 2022 sees the pandemic finally receding, as people also see a glimmer of light at the end of the long locked-down tunnel, yet this yearning is fraught with a sense of uncertainty.

Benrei HUANG, Things are being rearranged, 2022,Acrylic on canvas, 61 x 76 cm

During the pandemic, art creation was HUANG’s way of calming her mind. Her Nini continues to comfort people’s hearts. The Melancholy speaks of the depressed frustration of being sheltered and isolated due to COVID. Fans and A piece of life are about a little game she invented during her shelter-in-place time, mirroring her loneliness. Meanwhile, in fakation and Beach day babysitting, Nini’s sunglasses are respectively showing the reflection of tourist attractions and bunnies having fun, conveying the longing for traveling and enjoying the outdoors with other people. The sculpture Rainy days variation is derived from her painting Rainy days variation-collecting loose threads. In the painting, Nini is holding a round-bottom flask trying to catch rainwater; this nonsensical behavior is like an inexplicable act that tickles the funny bone.

Benrei HUANG, No other place I_d rather be, 2021,Acrylic on canvas, 71 x 56 cm

ART SG∣ESLITE GALLERY∣Booth BI04

Benrei HUANG’s Solo Exhibition

■VIP Preview (By Invitation Only):

 2023.1.11（Wed.）2-5 pm

■Vernissage:

2023.1.11（Wed.）5-9 pm

■VIP Hour (By Invitation Only):

2023.1.12（Thu.）11am-12pm

■Open Days：

2023.1.12（Thu.）12-7pm

2023.1.13（Fri.）12-7pm

2023.1.14（Sat.）11am-7pm

2023.1.15（Sun.）11am-5pm

Venue：Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre∣10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956