If you enjoy bright, vibrant artworks with a sense of joy and optimism, let me introduce you to an artist by the name of Ren Hui (pronounced “hway”) who has recently joined Perth’s active art scene.
A self-taught artist who first moved to Canada in 2011, Ren Hui has made his home in Perth since 2024, and in May this year opened his own Studio Ren, located directly behind 10 Gore St West.
Originally from Nanjing, China, Ren Hui has exhibited his art in Canada and internationally, including in Europe, Asia and the US. In 2006, renowned Chinese contemporary artist Ai Weiwei curated a show of Ren Hui’s works at his Beijing gallery, China Art Archive Warehouse (CAAW).
As a young man, Ren Hui did everything from tailoring, to serving in the navy, to being a steel worker. Knowing that he wanted a more creative life, he abandoned these jobs, and in 1990 cycled solo to Tibet, a journey of around 4000km. His artistic expression first took the form of poetry, but he then moved to visual art; cutting paper freehand in a modern version of the “papercut” artform seen in Asia, chiseling wood panels to reveal jubilant figures swimming with fish or stretching to the sun, ink-on-paper images of nature and historic landscapes, pointillist oil on canvas works of people and places, and finally metal sculpture taking the form of overlapping geometric shapes or the same jubilant figures who appear in his woodcut art. He is a prolific artist who uses multiple forms, materials and techniques to express himself.
Asked to describe his art, Ren Hui says it is uncomplicated and honest. His use of bright primary colours in his oil paintings, paired with silver or gold, is a very conscious choice, designed to give a sense of vitality. He often uses red for example, saying that for him it produces a sense of excitement, attraction and heat. His hope is that when people see his works they receive both an emotional and a tactile pleasure, a sense of viewing something familiar, but in a new and fresh way.
You may see Ren Hui out and about in Perth with his wife, Rachael, or on his regular walks with family dog Tina. If you do, please say hello, or come and pay a visit to Studio Ren. Monthly studio open houses are found in theHumm’s calendar. The next two are Saturday, October 24 and Saturday, November 28 from 10–4pm. All are welcome!
