BANK
Booth 1D31
With works by Maryn Varbanov, Song Huai-Kuei, Shi Hui, Zhang Yibei, Tang Song, Bai Yiyi, Ching Ho Cheng, Liang Hao, Bony Ramirez, Chico da Silva, Sun Yitian, Wenjue, and Lu Yang
Shanghai-based gallery BANK divided its booth into two sections—the past and the future—to encapsulate its multigenerational program. At the heart of its presentation are historic fiber artworks by Bulgarian artist Maryn Varbanov and his wife and collaborator Song Huai-Kuei, better known as Madame Song. A series of brown totemic forms by Varbanov made of felted dyed lamb wool and goat wool are paired with Song’s impressive woven goat wool and sisal wall reliefs from the 1970s.
These works are presented in dialogue with more recent pieces by Varbanov’s student Shi Hui, who was among the first Chinese artists to engage in contemporary fiber art in the 1980s. Alongside her large etching and embroidery drawings is a raw sculpture Shi made by pressing paper pulp onto an armature resembling an ancient pot.
