HONG KONG.- Poly Gallery Hong Kong is exhibiting “Conceptual Symbols: The Dimensions of Language and Form” from today (June 1) to June 27. The show is jointly curated by Poly Gallery Hong Kong, Tang Contemporary Art and independent curator Dai Zhuoqun, and presents artworks by nine of today’s most important Chinese artists, including Cai Lei, Ding Yi, He An, Liu Wei, Xu Qu, Xu Xiaoguo, Xu Zhen, Yan Lei, and Zhang Hui.

Beginning from the perspectives of form and language, the essential questions of art are presented in this exhibition. “Conceptual Symbols: The Dimensions of Language and Form” references an intrinsic art historical evolution, from the exploration of Formalism to the rise of Conceptualism in Chinese contemporary art. The span of the artistic practices in these works by nine artists represent a sequence of historical characteristics.

From a contemporary perspective, abstract painting and conceptual painting have become a focus for the art market and the academic world. The discussion of language and form gradually brings art back to itself; conceptualism was a significant change in the realm of visual art. It enriched and renewed traditional styles and forms and developed new relationships and structures within the art world. Art has become increasingly impossible to classify and define, and past themes have launched much more open and active exploratory spaces.

Dai Zhuoqun is an independent curator and art critic. He currently lives and works in Beijing. In 2007, he founded Contemporary Art magazine, where he served as chief editor and art director. He was also the executive director of White Box Museum of Art. In 2009, he launched and jointly curated the “Warm Winter” protest project in Beijing, one of the most important art events in recent years. He has since planned exhibitions and lectures with numerous art institutions, art academies, and museums. He has also published articles in international art magazines and other publications. He has curated exhibitions such as “Games” and “The Awakening of Things” (White Box Museum of Art, Beijing, 2011), “Superfluous Things” (Hive Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing, 2013), “Old Bloke” (Gallery Yang, Beijing, 2013), “Conscious: Twelve Views on Painting” (Tang Contemporary Art, Beijing, 2014), and “Civilization” (White Box Museum of Art, Beijing, 2013; OCAT, Xi’an, 2014; Hubei Institute of Fine Arts Museum, Wuhan, 2015).