2019 Catalogue Archive

Chinese artist Xie Nanxing both embraces and upends the traditions and assumptions of his native culture. His Spices series takes its name from the historical spice trade, itself evidence of centuries of complex interactions between East and West. Untitled (Sketch for Spice No. 7) is a preparatory sketch for a larger work that resembles a historical Last Supper painting. The diagrammatic arrows and lines symbolize, in part, Nanxing’s relationship to iconic Western works that are disseminated worldwide and meant to be studied and mimicked. This complex, beautifully painted work encompasses a range of historical and cultural meanings, as well as being indicative of the artist’s personal associations. Solo exhibitions of Nanxing’s work have been held at Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing; Kunstverein Harburger Bahnhof; and Manchester Art Gallery. Nanxing has also participated in documenta XII, and dAPERTutto, La Biennale di Venezia 48.