RENYEN, Ailan Man, 2021. Charcoal and acrylic artwork. 59.4 x 84.1cm. Courtesy: the artist.
ANNA PRIFTI
Gallery Director, West End Art Space, Melbourne
‘Ailan Man’ is an empowering work. I like the juxtaposition between RENYEN’s soft and smooth shading with the muscular and firm body, giving the man beauty. The contrast between black and white and the subtle greys and pop of yellow enhance details like the line elements and dots around the man’s hairline. Although only the side of the man’s face is shown, his expression is powerful.
ASHLEIGH JONES
Manager, Michael Reid Sydney and project director, Michael Reid Object, Sydney
RENYEN paints with such sensuality and sensitivity. What a wonderful subject to paint – the celebration of male beauty, of BIPOC beauty. The light in this work is dazzling, capturing the peaks of a man’s bones while emphasising the caressed dark contours between the muscles. RENYEN has created an intimate and beautiful painting.
EDWARD WOODLEY
Director, China Heights Gallery, Sydney
RENYEN’s ‘Ailan Man’ is a beautiful and powerful coupling of traditional line work paired with figurative rendering. Through the mesmerising linear rhythm of the organic representational background elements, the rendered muscular contemporary details of the subject are fused together by the crowning stippled hair detail. The significantly placed shell emphasises the importance of person and nature. Although this artwork was created with charcoal and acrylic, it would sit well alongside a display of photography or objects.