Thomas Hunter Project Space Exhibition: Xiong Wei: Animals of Frailty and Firmness

Thomas Hunter Project Space is pleased to present Animal of Frailty and Firmness, a solo exhibition of new works by Xiong Wei. The exhibition features two body-scale sculptures and a series of related small sculptures by the artist: Gregarious Old Lords, a plaster figuration atop a pedestal which with careful inspection deviates and rejects many tropes within the classical genre; and Tamed Head and Giant Hands, a heavy, grounding sculpture that sits directly on the concrete ground, crouched in the corner, trapped by self restrictions, refusing to take any action. Together, the two sculptures occupy diagonal ends of the enclosed space and form a tense dialogue between outward and inward auras.

A repeating motif in Wei’s work is that of a hand, often magnified and exaggerated. As a classical element in art history and the most primitive and primary tool of production and creation, the hand is a symbol of individual strength and subjective initiative. In the works of this exhibition, the hand is both presented subtly encased in the body of the plaster form, as well as wildly protruding Medusa-esque from the figure. Some of these giant hands are grasping the same item as if the people behind it are competing. Some look powerful and commanding, some confused and frozen in inaction.

The Thomas Hunter Project Space is located at 930 Lexington Ave, B1, New York, NY10065.