Hong Ling: A Retrospective at the Chester Beatty Library

Drunk In Frozen Forest, 2011

A few days ago I ended up in the Chester Beatty Library after plans to visit Dublin City Hall were cancelled due to a wedding taking place there. (P.S. I've never planned any part of my (unlikely) future wedding before, but City Hall will most definitely be the venue.)

The library itself has a surprisingly extensive collection of manuscripts, early printed books, icons and miniature paintings from across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North Africa. The collection of religious books, from Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism and Hinduism, are particularly interesting, especially as each religion has its own section within the exhibition where sacred music and chanting can be heard.

My favourite exhibition however was Hong Ling: A Retrospective, which contains a collection of paintings from the artist's student days to his professional. For anyone with even a passing admiration for nature this exhibition is a treat. Hong Ling works from his studio in the foothills of the Yellow Mountains of the Anhui Province in China and when looking at his work it feels like you're right there with him.

The depth of reality that Hong Ling's paintings evoke for the viewer, at least the ones I saw at the CBL, is immense. As someone who loves nothing more than a cold walk through a crowded wood, the paintings featured in the gallery feel as though they billow forth through an open window
from a familiar and soothing dream.

Rainbow-like, 2015

Hong Ling turned to oil painting after the Chinese Cultural Revolution, 1966-1976. The Chester Beatty website declares that "Drawing together the imported medium of oil on canvas with the landscapes and philosophies of China's artistic heritage, Hong Ling has made a contribution to the world of Chinese landscape painting unparalleled in its vibrancy." Hong Ling's paintings are full of atmosphere, often celebratory, such as 'Rainbow-like, 2015', but also intimidating and foreboding, such as 'Spiritual Intuition 2, 2013'. A short but comprehensive exhibition, this display is certainly worth a visit for anyone wanting to stroll through all four seasons in one day from the comfort of a heated room.

Hong Ling: A Retrospective is at the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, from 21st October 2016 to 29th January 2017.

For a more extensive catalogue of Hong Ling's work visit the Soka Art website.

The exhibition is sponsored by UNEEC Culture and Education Foundation, Taiwan, and supported by Soka Art and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

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*Some info sourced from the Chester Beatty Library website.