Yuan Fang presents a new series of visceral abstract paintings at Skarstedt Chelsea, created after she was diagnosed with cancer. The works mark a shift from her earlier gestural abstraction, confronting the fragility and resilience of the body through intuitive, layered processes that evoke cycles of generation, decay, and rebirth. Fang, who gained international attention during the pandemic, joined Skarstedt last year and continues to attract collectors in Hong Kong and beyond.
This exhibition matters because it captures a deeply personal turn in the work of one of the most sought-after emerging abstract painters, using the body’s vulnerability as a catalyst for artistic transformation. Fang’s candid engagement with illness and mortality adds emotional and psychological depth to her practice, while her steady auction performance and strong gallery representation signal her lasting relevance in the contemporary art market.