During the opening of the duo exhibition, Altered State: Deciphering Urban in the Art of Chen Xuanrong and Huang Yulong guests, artists, and the gallery team have collectively created a painting that we titled “Legal Wall.”
The painting’s title “Legal Wall” originates from the street art terminology. Given that in most countries graffiti is seen as an illegal act of vandalism, the term legal wall refers to the wall on which street artists have been permitted by a property owner or city administration to paint. Usually, a large mural appears on such walls.
With quick sweeping brushstrokes Chen Xuanrong outlined the setting of a public bathroom, with mirrors and walls to be soon covered by the outcries of public opinions. He then put the brush down and let the rest of the work to be done by the “public.”
In the spirit, true to the street art, everyone who has attended the opening was free to pick up a brush and paint anything that one’s creative soul demanded. Different messages in different languages from people of all ages and nationalities started to fill up the canvas. As if the mirror of the city’s subconsciousness, the canvas revealed what is on the city’s mind.
