INK-Chinese Contemporary Ink

Catalog Design

The INK-Chinese Contemporary Ink catalog was published on the occasion of the exhibition "INK," which showcased contemporary Chinese ink painting. The design of the catalog aimed to translate the aesthetic of the exhibits into book form, reflecting the spirit of the exhibition and elevating the combination of void and solid colors and forms to a higher level. With its multifaceted design, the catalog captures the essence of Chinese ink painting in its text flow, image layout, and overall structure.

Designers Xuan Zheng and Yuan Wang drew inspiration from the philosophy of Chinese ink painting, focusing on the balance between negative and positive spaces. They used black and white as the visual language to convey the spirit of this traditional art form. The catalog's design is a testament to their unique approach and their ability to capture the essence of contemporary Chinese ink painting.

The catalog, realized through traditional ink printing, measures 0.32m × 0.23m × 0.015m. Its size allows for a visually impactful presentation of the artworks and enhances the overall reading experience.

Designers Xuan Zheng and Yuan Wang, along with their team, dedicated significant time and effort to researching the nine artists featured in the catalog. They meticulously studied each artist's painting works, read through their catalogs, and engaged in extensive communication with the Luxehills Art Museum, the exhibition's sponsor and collector of the works showcased in the catalog.

The biggest challenge faced by the designers was successfully transferring the traditional Chinese culture into the European context. However, their meticulous research and attention to detail allowed them to overcome this challenge and create a catalog that seamlessly blends the two cultures.

The INK-Chinese Contemporary Ink catalog has received widespread acclaim and recognition. It was awarded the Red Dot 2018 and iF 2019 design prizes, contributing to the exhibition's unexpected success. All 800 copies of the catalog were sold or distributed, with clients, collectors, governors, gallery owners, and artists praising its ability to perfectly reflect the spirit of the exhibition and Chinese ink painting.

The INK-Chinese Contemporary Ink catalog was published from January 2018 to March 6, 2018, and was located at the Kunsthalle Göppingen in Germany. The intellectual property rights belong to Kunsthalle Göppingen and Luxehills Art Museum.

Image Credits: Luxehills Art Museum and Kunsthalle Göppingen

Awards and Accolades: The INK-Chinese Contemporary Ink catalog was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in 2019 in the Graphics, Illustration, and Visual Communication Design category. This prestigious award recognizes designs that demonstrate outstanding creativity and resourcefulness, incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology. The catalog's technical and creative excellence contributes to improving the quality of life and making the world a better place.