Muse Garden is delighted to present “Playful Soul,” a solo exhibition by contemporary Chinese artist Nan Fang. This exhibition features two series of works—paintings and skateboards—offering a glimpse into Nan Fang’s creative journey over the past decade. It showcases his efforts to integrate traditional Chinese culture into contemporary art.

Centered around the boy “Children Nan”, Nan Fang retains the traditional Chinese “children playing” themes. Frolicked in lotus ponds, “Children Nan” enjoyed the company of flora and fauna in his childhood. As he grew up, “Children Nan” he immersed himself in pop culture, donning Supreme apparel, watching anime, skateboarding, and adopting a punk style. Despite these changes, his pink cheeks and vibrant expressions remained, reflecting his enduring exuberance. Nan Fang‘s creation, conveying the Taoist philosophy of “gathering soft yet powerful energy like an infant,” embodies his incorporation of cultural background and present trends.

“Playfulness” is a central theme in Nan Fang’s life and artistic journey.
From a young age, he explored diverse art forms, including drawing, hip-hop, and rock music. and constantly exploring diverse art languages while “playing.” Born in Handan, Hebei—one of the birthplaces of Chinese civilization—Nan Fang developed an early interest in porcelain and antiques. His high school years marked his introduction to skateboarding and subcultures, making him one of China’s pioneering skateboard enthusiasts.

Ink painting is the foundational skill for Nan Fang, which allows him to fully unleash his creativity. The exhibition features 12 paintings created through spontaneous and instinctive doodling, without preliminary drafts. Breaking free from traditional constraints, this series captures the freedom, fun, and innocence of his inner child wielding a brush, presenting a series of “pop art” pieces with no “pop culture” symbols. Skateboard is another significant medium for Nan Fang. It serves as a broader platform for sharing art and engaging with a wider audience. By combining elements of Western popular culture with his iconic “Children Nan” imagery, Nan Fang has developed a series of skateboards that epitomize the style of pop art.

Nan Fang continuously navigates between traditional culture and contemporary art, contemplating the essence of “pop art” and its Western dominance. His creations are driven not by the “rebellious spirit” or philosophical discussions typical of Western pop art, but by a personal pursuit of happiness and joy. He organically integrates his passions, personal life, and Chinese traditional symbols into his mixed media works, exploring the dual nature of pop art as both a personal lifestyle representation and a vessel for art exploration. Driven by unconscious “play,” Nan Fang consciously sheds light on culture and identity, evolving his creations into a purer and freer state, shaping his “playful” creative soul.

Related activity: Skateboard workshop with artist Nan Fang | 13/7 (Sat)

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