HOW 展讯｜「瓯江流域艺术家群展」将于11月10日开幕

Situated in southern Zhejiang Province, the 388-km long Ou River flows eastward over mountains and vallies, traversing cities like Lishui and Wenzhou,  before dashing into the Pacific Ocean. Historically, the cultural valley of Ou River has seen a great amount of scholars and literati; in our times, Wenzhou is the forerunner of the economic reform and open-door policies. There are numerous established entrepreneurs and intellectuals originated from the region, not to mention many excellent artists from the region who are active on the art scenes today.

The Cultural Valley of Ou River is a group exhibition where we gathered 23 artists whose origins can be traced to the region. They represent the generations of Chinese artists who were born in the 1970s, 80s, 90s and some Gen. Zs. Although non of them still live in the region now, instead practice art in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and places around Europe, however, at one point of their lives, they lives have been closely related to the region. The Ou River has nourished them, inspired them, and led them onto their artistic pursuits.

With Ou River as the connecting node that bring the artists in this exhibition together, it is also a cultural and pictorial reference. The complex interconnection between the artists' creations and the local culture, may it be ancestral heritage, or personal experiences,  twist with the grand narratives of history and society. 40 years ago, Wenzhou set up the pioneer example of China's market reforms, became the first private economy sector cultivating trades around China and the global market.  Wenzhou's spirit and courage in economic reforms parallel with our narrative about China contemporary art. Much like Wenzhou's unique position in China's economic development, these artists from the Ou River valley participate and contribute to the vibrant ecosystem of Chinese contemporary art.

With Ou River as a sample of local cultural impact, the exhibition also intends to explore the development of Chinese contemporary art through the lens of hometown. What is the term of hometown and the tenet of collectiveness for artists from the same region? What do they contribute to their artistic expressions? Through some hometown-related concepts,  such as the nearby and the faraway, the memory and amnesia, the leaving and the returning, we want to understand how one's hometown and upbringing play roles in their creative career. As one leaves their hometown behind further and further away, how come artists who tell universal stories still behold their hometown accent?

The exhibition will open on the 10th of November,  2025 and run until the 8th March,  2026. The exhibition poster is designed by Mr Zhou Feng, a renowned graphic designer from Wenzhou, and  Ms Xiang Liping, a distinguished curator also from Wenzhou serves as the academic advisor. The exhibition is conceived and curated by Wang Kaimei, the Executive Director of the HOW Art Museum, alongside the museum's curatorial team. Meanwhile, the museum will present 'Beuys in China,' showcasing the museum's own collection and relaunching the project "Me and Beuys".

This exhibition is an initiative of the founder of HOW Art Museum, a Wenzhou entrepreneur and art patron Mr Zheng Hao, as a tribute to the 8th anniversary of the founding of the museum, and the 100th exhibition held in the museum. With Ou River as a motivation to show gratefulness to the art world and to the city of Shanghai, who many of us embrace as our own hometown.

 —— Kaimei Wang