The 3-dimensional paintings/boxes are part of his series on “The Absence of Mathematics” each stands upright on a podium and can be viewed from both sides. He explains that he was trying find ways of calculating space without using mathematics and goes on to say: “Now I have turned my conjecture into a position: the lack of mathematics—since space is missing, time is missing, life and nature are missing, where is mathematics?” Huang Rui ties together his thoughts, dreams and imaginations into his art.

It is indeed complex and differ from one side to the other. The center resembles moon phases, a yin and yang, a cut half-moon is cut further with the lines of triangles, lines with circles balance upon the divided triangles of the canvas. In colour, Huang Rui again comes back to the colours he is strongly attached to. The red of the Forbidden City, the Yellow of the China’s emperors, the blue of liberty and the black, white and grey of yin and yang.

Huang Rui (b. 1952, China, lives in Beijing) stands as one of China's most esteemed artists. Presenting at Art Basel Hong Kong 2024 will be his early and important works from the 1980s as well as his most recent series of paintings. His artistic creations are deeply rooted in intellectual observations of history, music, politics, and the world at large. Huang Rui can be described as a philosopher artist, delving into both the past and present to express his ideas through various mediums such as paintings, sculptures, performances, and installations. What sets Huang Rui apart is his ability to distil complex concepts and ideas into simple and accessible forms. Through his artistic endeavours, he strives to communicate a universal understanding that resonates with individuals from diverse backgrounds. His work embodies a golden rule of comprehension, transcending cultural, social, and ideological boundaries. Huang Rui's artistic vision goes beyond aesthetic beauty; it aims to provoke thought, challenge conventional wisdom, and inspire dialogue. His works serve as catalysts for introspection, encouraging viewers to contemplate the complexities of the human experience, the interplay between history and the present, and the dynamics of power and politics. Since the 1970s, Huang Rui has been active at the forefront of Chinese contemporary art as an artist and instigator, who notably co-organised the “Stars Art Exhibition” in 1979 (celebrating its 45th anniversary this year) and pioneered contemporary art practice in China.