In the heart of California's expansive geography, artist Zheng Chongbin has been weaving a tapestry of life and ecologies through his captivating works. His latest exhibition at LACMA, "Zheng Chongbin: Golden State," is an immersive experience that invites viewers to explore the intricate relationships between nature, art, and the human condition.
Chongbin's artistic journey began in Shanghai during China's Cultural Revolution, where he was trained in classical Chinese art forms. However, it was not until the Open Door Policy in 1978 that Western ideas and materials began to influence his work, incorporating styles like Abstract Expressionism, German Expressionism, and Light and Space movements.
In "Golden State," Chongbin pays homage to California's unique geography, juxtaposing elements of sunlight, trees, rain fog, fire scars, and earthquake fault lines. His use of shrimp paper, a light material made from sandalwood bark, imbues the work with an organic quality that allows the paint to crack and fissure as new layers are applied.
The artist's fascination with nature is evident in his observation: "It feels like ecologies... everything that goes through is my skin." His paintings are not mere representations but rather a testament to the interconnectedness of all living things. Chongbin's style, characterized by layered swaths of ink and paint, creates topographic elements that evoke natural formations from mountain peaks to blood capillaries.
The artist's light-and-space installations, such as "Mesh" (2018) and "Chimeric Landscape" (2015), further underscore this concept. By filtering natural, medical, and abstract imagery through refracted light, Chongbin creates an immersive environment that dissolves boundaries between the physical and metaphysical.
In "Chimeric Landscape," a sand dollar awash on the shore becomes the muse for an installation that weaves short clips of water, ink, cell functions, and other ephemera into Euclidean geometries. This work deconstructs spatial differentiation, highlighting the little breaths of life in inanimate objects.
At LACMA, "Zheng Chongbin: Golden State" is an exhibition that defies traditional notions of art and space. It invites viewers to collaborate with both material and mind, ensuring that what lies above reflects below. As Chongbin says, "The structure of Chimeric Landscape is obviously a non-linear narrative... The one visual dominance that we encounter is the ink flow."
Through his works, Zheng Chongbin reminds us that art is not separate from nature but rather an extension of it. His solo exhibition at LACMA offers a poignant reminder of the intricate relationships between life, ecologies, and human existence.
"Zheng Chongbin: Golden State" is on view at LACMA through January 4, 2026.
Chongbin's artistic journey began in Shanghai during China's Cultural Revolution, where he was trained in classical Chinese art forms. However, it was not until the Open Door Policy in 1978 that Western ideas and materials began to influence his work, incorporating styles like Abstract Expressionism, German Expressionism, and Light and Space movements.
In "Golden State," Chongbin pays homage to California's unique geography, juxtaposing elements of sunlight, trees, rain fog, fire scars, and earthquake fault lines. His use of shrimp paper, a light material made from sandalwood bark, imbues the work with an organic quality that allows the paint to crack and fissure as new layers are applied.
The artist's fascination with nature is evident in his observation: "It feels like ecologies... everything that goes through is my skin." His paintings are not mere representations but rather a testament to the interconnectedness of all living things. Chongbin's style, characterized by layered swaths of ink and paint, creates topographic elements that evoke natural formations from mountain peaks to blood capillaries.
The artist's light-and-space installations, such as "Mesh" (2018) and "Chimeric Landscape" (2015), further underscore this concept. By filtering natural, medical, and abstract imagery through refracted light, Chongbin creates an immersive environment that dissolves boundaries between the physical and metaphysical.
In "Chimeric Landscape," a sand dollar awash on the shore becomes the muse for an installation that weaves short clips of water, ink, cell functions, and other ephemera into Euclidean geometries. This work deconstructs spatial differentiation, highlighting the little breaths of life in inanimate objects.
At LACMA, "Zheng Chongbin: Golden State" is an exhibition that defies traditional notions of art and space. It invites viewers to collaborate with both material and mind, ensuring that what lies above reflects below. As Chongbin says, "The structure of Chimeric Landscape is obviously a non-linear narrative... The one visual dominance that we encounter is the ink flow."
Through his works, Zheng Chongbin reminds us that art is not separate from nature but rather an extension of it. His solo exhibition at LACMA offers a poignant reminder of the intricate relationships between life, ecologies, and human existence.
"Zheng Chongbin: Golden State" is on view at LACMA through January 4, 2026.
! I mean, Zheng Chongbin's use of shrimp paper is genius, like a natural disaster that destroys the painting and makes it beautiful again 
. And his observation about ecologies being everything that goes through him... chill, dude 
. It's like he's tapping into this deep connection with nature and we're just seeing glimpses of it on canvas. The way he incorporates light and space is mind-blowing, it's like stepping into a dream world 
. I need to see this exhibition ASAP, it sounds so immersive!
his use of light and space is so mind-blowing, it feels like you're right there with him, feelin' all the emotions and textures... i mean, who needs words when art can just speak straight to your soul? 
it's like he's showin' us that even in the darkest times, there's still beauty and life to be found... and that's somethin' we all need right now 
. His art is all about connection and balance - it's not just pretty to look at, but also makes you think about how our lives are linked with nature and each other 
.
. And those light-and-space installations? Mind-blowing 
! It's like his art is saying, "Hey, let's dissolve the lines between reality and dreams" 
.
.
! It's like a journey through the self and nature all at once... I'm getting all artsy just thinking about it 
.
i mean zheng chongbin's use of shrimp paper and layering his work is so unique and organic it feels like he's tap into the natural world 
anyway i think what i love most about his art is how it makes you feel connected to everything around u, it's like ur skin is in the painting lol anyway if u haven't seen this exhibition yet u should def check it out its a real game changer 
i mean, all those layers of ink and paint just seem like a bunch of fancy schmancy decoration 
his use of shrimp paper sounds hella unique & the way he blends light and space with abstract expressionism is giving me life 
i love how he's not just painting nature but literally making you feel like you're part of it 
the fact that his art is all about ecologies and human connection is so sick 
. It's like, yeah, art can totally be an extension of life, not just some separate thing we look at and appreciate. Can't wait to see this exhibit for myself! 
I'm so hyped about this new exhibit at LACMA! Zheng Chongbin's work is like a breath of fresh air, you know? He's not just painting pretty pictures, he's trying to connect us with the world around us 
. His use of shrimp paper and light installations takes art to a whole new level 
. It's no wonder people are going crazy for his show!
. I mean, it's just a bunch of old paintings with some weird materials that make them crack and fissure like they're gonna fall apart. And don't even get me started on the whole "it's an immersive experience" thing... sounds like just an excuse for the artist to be all up in your grill 
. I've seen more impressive stuff at a kindergarten art class 
the use of shrimp paper is genius too - its like he's taking something organic & making it almost... otherworldly? 