Chongqing – On September 8, French artist Renk (Walig Nicolet) unveiled his first solo exhibition, "Thousand Skies: From Graffiti to Painting," at the Art Museum of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute (SCFAI) in Southwest China's Chongqing. The exhibition traces Renk's unique artistic journey from street graffiti to poetic, contemplative canvas works.
On September 8, French artist Renk (Walig Nicolet) unveiled his first solo exhibition, "Thousand Skies: From Graffiti to Painting," at the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute Museum in Southwest China's Chongqing. (Photo/Deng Yan)
The exhibition presents a multidimensional perspective on the artist's practice, featuring large-scale graffiti-inspired works dating back to 2014, recent paintings centered on nocturnal skies, and a selection of study sketches and works on paper. In total, nearly 80 pieces are on display.
French artist Renk's work. (Photo: the event organizer)
French artist Renk's work. (Photo: the event organizer)
Curator David Rosenberg emphasized how Renk merges graffiti art with the plein-air tradition of Impressionism and the "All-Over" composition technique of American Color Field Painting. The artist works almost exclusively with spray paint, employing a unique method of repetitively layering the letters of his name, "Renk," until the text dissolves into the background. Through this process, Renk explores infinite depth, the subtle undulations of the sky, and endless variations of color.
French artist Renk's work. (Photo: the event organizer)
Jiao Xingtao, President of SCFAI, emphasized the school's commitment to promoting international contemporary art and supporting experimental and singular artistic voices. "Renk's practice offers a compelling case study for the academy," Jiao said.
"Renk's work gently transcends the conventional boundaries of art, creating a dialogue between the energy of the street and classical art historical traditions. Viewers can recognize the Impressionist pursuit of natural light and feel the expansive presence of American Color Field painting. More importantly, his art surpasses cultural and geographical confines through a universal visual language that resonates with the viewer’s inner contemplation of nature, infinity, and being," Jiao added.
French artist Renk's work. (Photo: the event organizer)
French artist Renk's work. (Photo: the event organizer)
The exhibition is co-organized by the SCFAI Art Museum and Galerie Enrico Navarra. It will be open free to the public and run until October 7.