The fourth A+A art exhibition runs from April 29 to May 29 in Pifo New Art gallery in the 798 art area. 19 artists are exhibiting their works. In contrast with previous exhibitions, the artists come from all parts of China – Beijing, Tianjin, Sichuan, Jiangsu and so on. For some of them it is a debut. The forms of their works include oil painting, mixed media and sculpture.

A poster for the Fourth A+A Exhibition hanging outside Pifo gallery.

The A+A exhibition began in 2006 as a collective show of works of students from China Central Academy of Fine Arts. Wang Xinyou, a veteran collector of artwork and director of Pifo, took over the exhibition and has worked as the curator since then. Wang told China.org.cn, "A+A" represents three pairs of meanings: art and artist; all and another possibilities; art and art promotion. The designers of the 2009 poster compare art to cigarettes, indicating Wang's deep addiction to art.

Ji Lei's "Fairyland No.1", oil on canvas.

Song Chen's "Cornered Beast in the East", mixed media.

A+A is more of a public service than a commercial campaign. Though the artists are of different ages and focus on different art forms, they share something in common: simple and pure works of art free of populism or symbolism, full of passion and true love for art, which have never been exhibited by any other galleries. On one hand, A+A provides a channel and a location for them to demonstrate their ideas and capabilities. On the other hand, art institutions and collectors can discover new market opportunities.

Huang Yan's "Melting Pillars", acrylic resin.

Artist Li Hongjun (the first from the left) talking about his "Moved Paper Ⅲ" with visitors.

Wang said the concept behind A+A is to reveal the panorama of contemporary Chinese art by showing new blood and promoting its development in the world. As a result, A+A has attracted the participation of many young Chinese artists. "Though some fabulous artists did not qualify this year," said Wang, "we will keep an eye on them for future cooperation."

Wang Xinyou, director of Pifo, standing in front of Ma Ke's "Portrait 1."

Talking about art market in economic downturn, Wang showed confidence and rational reflection. He thinks operating a gallery is similar to operating a manufacturing company, both of which require a long period of investment, research and development, producing and marketing. The Chinese art market, including Pifo, is now going through the investing and developing process. Though the quintessence of contemporary Chinese art is to reflect the reality of Chinese society and people, there still exist shoddy works and low-level copying. It's natural to see failure on the part of some institutions and artists before the real bloom comes in the near future.

There will be 6 more exhibitions in Pifo this year.

(China.org.cn by Ren Zhongxi, May 1, 2009)