Renowned artist Peng Wei is finally presenting her works of art alongside her father, Peng Xiancheng, in an exhibit at Sotheby’s S2 gallery in Hong Kong. About 40 of their works will be displayed.
The joint exhibit is Peng Wei's way of introducing herself as her own brand of artist as she has been always introduced as "Peng Xiancheng's daughter" for a long time.
Both Peng Wei and her father do water-and-ink paintings, but their styles differ significantly.
The 41-year-old artist does installation art and regularly paints on shoes, clothes and plastic bodies.
Her father, 74-year-old Peng Xiancheng, on the other hand, is noted for his traditional Chinese water-and-ink paintings. He gained prominence in and outside China in the early 1990s and often made ink paintings depicting birds, flowers, landscapes and figures.
"They grew up in different times and developed their styles in different directions. We can feel the love between them and their works," said Kevin Ching, CEO of Sotheby's Asia.
Peng Wei, in an interview with China Daily, said that the exhibit is "a special way to show her respect and love for her father."
"Mozart often wrote to his father, talking about his jobs and his girlfriend in letters. The close relationship between him and his father is like mine with my father," shared Peng Wei. "Before going to university, I never left my father. The letters are a metaphor to show me missing my father."
Peng Wei, who started painting at the early age of 3, was highly influenced by her father. She recounted her childhood, when she would tag along with her father wherever he went.
"We feel we're born to do ink paintings. Painting is as important as having meals for us," said Peng Wei.