Events April, 2nd 2010 by Simon Schönbeck

Chinese Contemporary Art in Marbella

From left: Maite Coloma (Poligono Gallery co-owner), Jose Luis Hernandez (Head of the Marbella Tourist Board), Dario Poli and Sophie Gravier (Poligono Gallery co-owner)

Dario Poli, artist, composer, author and the initiator of the campaign to promote Marbella and the brilliant photographer Paul Wilcockson, attended the opening party for a new exhibition of dramatic photographic works by Chinese contemporary artists beginning with Chen Jiagang, the acclaimed Chinese artist.

This was the first exhibition of his amazing work in Spain and the exhibition presented a large format of photographic works (180cm to 400cm long) from his series «Great Third Front » as well as some pieces from his lyrical new series on » and «The Silk Road».

This exhibition should be seen, as these photographic landscapes are of epic grandeur and act as a thread connecting the exhibition.

As a former architect, Chen possesses a deep knowledge of space and form. His photographs are spatially expansive images that seem to wrap themselves around the visitor, and it’s possible to feel the ambivalence the artist expresses towards the frantic development of China today.

His series about the Chinese Third Front reflects on this subject, opening up a recent chapter in Chinese history.

Poligono Gallery, is an art center with a difference, and is purposely located in Marbella’s Industrial estate La Ermita, reflecting the environment of the art district in Beijing.

The gallery is specializes in contemporary art from Asia, with special emphasis on Chinese contemporary art. Future exhibitions are being planned on contemporary Japanese and South East Asian art.

It was officially opened in August 2009 by its two delightful founders, Maite Coloma who holds an MA in East Asian Art from Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London and has studied Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean art, specializing in Chinese painting. Her partner is Sophie Gravier who holds an International Law Degree from Assas, Paris was a gallery director in Beijing and a co-director of Yan Club Arts now specializes in Contemporary Chinese photography.

For further information: info@poligonogallery.com or +34 615 381 751