Art over Lunch: The Ink of Yu Han

The Chinese artist Shao Fan holds a unique position in contemporary art because he weaves the artistic and cultural traditions of China with the contemporary vernacular of Western art. In China, calligraphy is the essence of traditional painting, and calligraphic elements continue to be found in many of Shao Fan’s creations. Shao Fan explains that the brushstrokes, as well as writing, are the root of culture and are antithetic to modern technology.

The Ink of Yu Han presents Shao Fan's ink paintings in Europe for the first time, showcasing the artist's progressive development in ink and how the art of calligraphy can translate into sculpture. Dive into Shao Fan's timeless art, discover intricate ink worlds, and enjoy the fusion of styles, influences, and techniques in this upcoming Art over Lunch. Galerie Urs Meile Lucerne will lead us through the exhibition, the artist will not be present.

About the Artist

Shao Fan (*1964) lives and works in Beijing, China. Since his childhood, he was trained in painting and calligraphy. In addition to painting, he has also been recognized for his sculptures, which merge art and design. To honor the spirits of the past and following the literati tradition, when it was common to name oneself during certain artistic phases, Shao Fan adopted the name Yu Han. Hence the exhibition title The Ink of Yu Han closely attributes to the artist’s painting progress, in which he turns away from a rather expressive, wild ductus and takes up constant, quieter brushstrokes.

About the Gallery

Since its establishment in 1992, Galerie Urs Meile has contributed to the presentation and dissemination of contemporary art, from painting and sculpture to photography, installation, and video. The gallery is working from two locations: Lucerne and Beijing. While its center of operations is based in Switzerland, the Beijing gallery has established itself as an international meeting place for collectors, curators, artists, and aficionados of the arts. Galerie Urs Meile was one of the first international galleries to focus on the Chinese art scene and has been working on an international level with Chinese artists since 1995. 

We have a very limited number of tickets. In order to avoid no-shows, a CHF 50 no-show fee will be charged if you do not cancel your registration until 24 hours before the event at the latest.

About Art over Lunch 

Art over Lunch is a monthly event series for members of Asia Society Switzerland. Each time, we visit an exhibition or a special part of a collection with artists, curators, and experts for 45 minutes. The tours are designed to give members a different view on the vast troves at the museums and galleries in the city of Zurich and provide an opportunity to mingle and discuss. 

Art over Lunch is made possible with the support of the private bank Bergos.