WHAT

Presenting her new ‘Gold’ series for the first time in a gallery exhibition, the Beijing-based artist’s new body of works is created using gold leaf on canvas, while still remaining focussed on the same themes and motifs: animals and nature. It signals a new approach for the artist, who had previously primarily used ink on paper as her medium. The title of the exhibition comes from the Beatles’s song, ‘Golden Slumbers’, which discusses the carefree play and peaceful slumber that only children can experience. 

WHY

‘Golden Slumbers’ is a title of optimism and of possibility, befitting a new day, and is fresh evidence of Huang Dan’s quest to frame her philosophy in bold new ways. The artist’s choice of using gold leaf on canvas is reason if any to visit. Those familiar with her works will be happy to see that the themes and motifs that are central to her practice are still present: horses, snakes, monkeys and mountain ranges. Seasoned art aficionados can also appreciate the ties and homage that the works pay to Gustav Klimt, who used gold in his works as well.