LI SHURUI (Chinese, B. 1981)

Li Shurui's works convey a novel physiological experience—they present an optical illusion that is triggered by viewers´ perception when their eyes seek the source of light in her paintings. Viewers are overwhelmed by the visual tension; in addition, the monumental scale of the works engenders a sense of immersion for viewers, altering their imaginations beyond the confines of the work into the world outside as well.

Polar Lights No. 10 (Lot 215) depicts the natural phenomenon Aurora Borealis. The artist captures the rare occurrence of the dancing lights with a magnificent composition of shimmering purple tones. Li Shurui executes the intricate interactions of lines, shapes, colours, and sequences characteristic of Op Art with great precision. The naturalistic elements are also reduced to basic geometric shapes that conjure intense episodes of optical illusions. The artist creates light that expresses a robust sense of rhythm and emotion, allowing viewers to explore how the body instinctually responses to space. It is an experimentation with the process by which viewers transform two-dimensional visual experiences into concrete spatial awareness.