The Sea in the Sea | Tang Nannan

Tang Nannan's The Sea in the Sea first came to be when he was planning a solo exhibition in April 2013. He imagined the sea levels he drew as horizontal lines unfurling and unfolding one after another in front of him. Suddenly the boundless and awe inspiring waves crashed out towards him from every side, with a thunder of sound.This visual was the catalyst to his work The Sea in The Sea.

Inspiration | Zhuangzi

One year after Tang was overcome with his inner visual he read a quote by Zhuangzi, "The Great of the South China Sea called Shu, and the Great of the North Sea called Hu, and the central Great called Chaos." In that moment he was transported back to the huge waves that engulfed him in the exhibition hall. A sudden realisation came upon Nannan and he knew that he had to transform himself from an observer of the ocean and into a part of it.

Energy

Tang Nannan saw to seeking out a new way of thinking about his art. He abandoned his sight and used his body and mind to feel the invisible energy, chaos and serenity of the ocean. Using brush and ink in an unconventional way while still following the masters words of advice; "to seek not the appearance of things but their essence."

Tang says "at the time of primeval chaos, I float in the vast mist, with the initial mind of me"