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Sexuality is a human instinct, yet people often associate the topic with pornography or obscenity, choosing to avoid it. With 'Encyclopedia of Innocence,' artist Zhang Ke opens up this conversation. Zhang Ke believes that nudity in classical paintings carries a sexual desire, even if most creators deny it. She attempts to release this desire by extensively reusing and recombining such imagery.
Zhang Ke explains that 'Encyclopedia' refers to an encyclopedia. Each work in the exhibition is like an entry in an encyclopedia, filled with her boundless imagination about sexuality. Whether it is 'innocent' or not is left for the audience to judge.
'To live and create erotically'—the artist's experience is so close to the experience of sex, akin to her pain and joy. These two phenomena are merely different forms of the same longing and happiness. If we speak not of 'eroticism' but of 'sex' in its broad, pure sense, untouched by the fallacies of the church, its power becomes gentle and lovely. We have seen too many male artists depict the theme of 'sex,' creating art that erupts from majestic mountains, full of primal impulses and rhythms. But what about a young female artist? Perhaps this sensory experience is no different from clean observation or the feeling of a sweet fruit on our tongue. One should more candidly feel the mystery that fills the universe down to the smallest object.
Upon closer inspection, her works resemble a Western ancient handmade book—luxurious, intricate, and exquisite hand-painted decorations, with extensive collage and appropriation of classical painting figures. At first glance, it might be mistaken for a religious text, yet each page exudes a 'salacious' erotic atmosphere. A gesture, an action, the suggestion of an image—all lead the mind to wander, slowly沉醉 in pleasure. The artist emphasizes the joy of sexuality, happily discussing the excitement of touching flesh: 'If the nipple were a button, what would happen when pressed?' This reflects a childlike curiosity mixed with a hint of mischief.
The book begins with a baby sucking a nipple, with an expression that seems to say, 'This is mine, are you jealous?' Once full, it falls asleep while touching the breast. The paintings are filled with expressions of enjoyment, voluptuous bodies, and meaningful actions like spanking, all seemingly teasing the viewer's desire. The suggestive imagery makes even an action like playing a musical instrument seem laden with implication.
Zhang Ke is known for her linear geometric abstract works. This solo exhibition presents a completely different side. Her postgraduate studies at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing allowed her to confront topics of personal interest more directly. This exhibition also marks her first solo show. We hope this exhibition brings her new inspiration.
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