Leon Gallery wishes to thank Mr. Lao Lianben for confirming the authenticity of this lot

ABOUT THE WORK

An amazing effortless grace inhabits Lao’s paintings, brought about by nothing less than hard work, zealous dedication, and the patient accumulation of infinitesimal amounts. Yet before this accumulation becomes too serious, it turns into creative repetition, much like child’s play. But this time with a difference, for this child’s play culminates in a reflective spontaneity, a second naiveté. Thus, one is gifted with a veritable feast for thought. In a way, Lao’s Monk’s Table is not only a reminder to practice mindfulness, but to also adopt a critical mode of reflection that sees peace through action and non-action. For Lao Lianben, contemplation remains as one of the main guiding themes, if not a foundational pillar, in his creative process—where the act of contemplating is often the teleological endpoint of most of his artworks. To draw the viewer in, whether through fascination or confusion, is part-and-parcel of the piece’s transcendental potential. For Lao, the piece alone and by itself only performs half of its duty, but when one views upon the canvas, one creates meaning unique only to oneself. It is this uniquely individual and epistemological creation that acts as the second-half of the artwork’s essence. To view and experience Lao’s works is joining him within the pillars of creation.