GROUP EXHIBITION
AI WEIWEI / ATREYU MONIAGA / BENZILLA / DIREN LEE / EDGAR PLANS / ETSU EGAMI / GONGKAN / JONAS BURGERT / KITTI NAROD / LENG GUANGMIN / LIU YOURAN / MING YING / QIN QI / TIFFANY LAFUENTE / WOO KUKWON / YOON HYUP / YUE MINJUN / ZHAO ZHAO
Ambiguous Yesterday, Fated Tomorrow
Singapore Space
June 28 – August 11, 2024
Tang Contemporary Art, a major player in the Asian contemporary art scene, is set to open a new gallery in Singapore on June 28, 2024. This expansion into Singapore marks a significant step in the gallery's mission to promote contemporary art both regionally and globally. With branches already established in Beijing, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Bangkok, the Singapore gallery aims to further penetrate the Southeast Asian market.
Singapore's strategic location and its role as a cultural bridge between East and West make it an ideal location for this new venture. The city's growing emphasis on the arts, highlighted by successful global art fairs and top-tier art storage facilities, solidifies its status as a hub for the art scene in Southeast Asia.
The new 7,500 sq ft gallery will be situated in the penthouse of the Delfi Orchard building, a prime location in the heart of Singapore's bustling commercial district, Orchard Road. This high-visibility venue will provide an accessible space for art enthusiasts and collectors.
Founder Zheng Lin is enthusiastic about this expansion, anticipating deepened connections with local artists and collectors and the opportunity to bring dynamic exhibitions and innovative artists to Singapore's vibrant cultural landscape.
Ambiguous Yesterday, Fated Tomorrow marks the grand opening of Tang Contemporary Art Singapore, providing new insights by contrasting the certainties that lie ahead with the complexities of what came before. The show, curated by Sue Oh, states that this exhibition will allow visitors to “Step into an experience where art's inescapable future value is made clear, even as the ambiguities of its past remain obscured. Featuring a selection of works by leading contemporary artists as well as the cutting - edge works by young talented artists, The contrast between different artistic visions and mediums allows for compelling interpretations of the contemporary societal landscape to emerge.”
Featuring a selection of works by leading contemporary artists, this exhibition celebrates artistic diversity. Among the highlights is Ai Weiwei’s renowned zodiac sculpture series, Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads (2010) which has been exhibited internationally since 2011. The evocative portrait of Jonas Burgert’s Wund Weicht (2020) and Zhao Zhao’s abstract Constellation No. 10 (2018) hint at the complex and nuanced processes behind their creation, inviting viewers on a journey that transcends time. The artists in this exhibition reflect deeply on the influences guiding their creation and the hidden histories surrounding their origins.
Juxtaposed with these masterpieces are the cutting-edge works of emerging artists like Gongkan, Benzilla and Edgar Plans, whose pieces offer insightful responses to contemporary society. The contrast between different artistic visions and mediums allows for compelling interpretations of our societal landscape to emerge.
The collection of works showcased in this exhibition bridges the rich history of art with contemporary narratives, contrasting different styles of artworks to highlight their evolving themes and influences. Established artists like Ai Weiwei, Jonas Burgert, and Zhao Zhao ground their works in historical, political, and personal narratives, communicating with the future and reminding us of the shifting relevance of past and present. Meanwhile, younger artists like Tiffany Lafuente and Atreyu Moniaga bring fresh perspectives and new styles, guiding us toward understanding and engaging with the unknown future through their innovative works.
EXHIBITING WORKS
 Ai Weiwei Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads (Gold) Bronze with gold patina 2010 |  Atreyu Moniaga Dawn Oil on canvas 120 x 90 cm 2024 |  Atreyu Moniaga Twinkle Oil on canvas 120 x 90 cm 2024 |
|---|---|---|
 Benzilla Swing Acrylic on linen 100 x 100 cm 2024 |  Diren Lee Climax Acrylic on canvas 60 x 60 cm 2024 |  Diren Lee Assimilation Plexiglass 55 x 36 x 52.5 cm x 2 pieces Edition: 1/7+1AP 2022 |
 Edgar Plans Andy & Warhol Mixed media on paper 56 x 38 cm 2024 |  Edgar Plans The Race Mixed media on canvas 150 x 150 cm 2024 |  Etsu Egami Rainbow-2022-t-12 Oil on canvas 203 x 400 cm 2022 |
 Gongkan A Mazing Thailand Acrylic on canvas 100 x 150 cm 2024 |  Jonas Burgert Wund Weicht Oil on canvas 90 x 80 cm 2020 |  Jonas Burgert Tiert Oil on canvas 240 x 180 cm 2024 |
 Kitti Narod Swing Acrylic on canvas 120 x 120 cm 2024 |  Kitti Narod Winter Acrylic on canvas 180 x 150 cm 2024 |  Leng Guangmin Flying at Dawn Mixed media on canvas 185 x 235 cm 2024 |
 Liu Youran Dream, Magritte's Mirror Acrylic, Oil on canvas 170 x 140 cm 2024 |  Liu Youran Dinner, 8:30 p.m. Mixed media on canvas 140 x 170 cm 2024 |  Ming Ying Meandering Around Oil on linen 150 x 140 cm 2024 |
 Qin Qi Two Rabbits Oil on canvas 150 x 150 cm 2023 |  Tiffany Lafuente Life is a Party Mixed media on canvas 154 x 122 cm 2024 |  Woo Kukwon Twinkle Twinkle-1 Oil on canvas 117 x 91 cm 2024 |
 Woo Kukwon Twinkle Twinkle-2 Oil on canvas 117 x 91 cm 2024 |  Yoon Hyup Hourglass#1 Acrylic on canvas 155 x 198 cm 2023 |  Yoon Hyup Hourglass#2 Acrylic on canvas 155 x 198 cm 2023 |
 Yue Minjun Xiu Acrylic on canvas 250 x 200 cm 2023 |  Zhao Zhao Sky Oil on canvas 200 x 200 cm 2021 |  Zhao Zhao Constellations No.10 Oil on canvas 250 x 200 cm 2015 |
Artists
Ai Weiwei
b. 1957, based in China and Germany.
As one of the world’s most influential artists, Ai Weiwei is renowned for making powerful aesthetic statements that resonate with contemporary geopolitical issues. From architecture to installations, social media to documentaries, Ai Weiwei employs a diverse range of mediums to encourage his audiences to critically examine society and its values.
Ai Weiwei’s work not only seeks to globalize Chinese culture but also appropriates it to explore modern, reflective ideas. A porcelain vase, for example, can be both elegant and a symbol of feudalistic traditions of wealth and power. Similarly, a zodiac sign might be seen as mythical and symbolic, yet Ai Weiwei reimagines it in a playful, down-to-earth manner using Lego as a medium.
Selected solo exhibitions include “In Search of Humanity”, Albertina Modern, Vienna (Austria, 2022); “Liberty of Doubt”, Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge (UK, 2022); “Intertwine”, Serralves Museum, Porto, Portugal, 2021; “Defend the Future”, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Korea (MMCA), Seoul (Korea, 2021); “Rapture”, Cordoaria Nacional, Lisbon (Portugal, 2021); “Ai Weiwei: Trace, Skirball Cultural Center”, Los Angeles (USA, 2021); “Year of the Rat”, Tang Contemporary Art, Bangkok (Thailand, 2020), “RAIZ” OCA exhibition space, Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo; Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil, Rio de Janiero (Brazil, 2019) etc.
Selected group exhibitions include “A Dream Within a Dream”, Tang Contemporary Art, Bangkok (Thailand, 2022); “A Century of the Artist’s Studio, 1920-2020”, Whitechapel Gallery, London (UK,2022); “Truc à faire”, Galleria Continua, Paris (France, 2021); “Inaugural Installations: Kinder Building”, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston,TX (USA, 2020); “Facing the Collector. The Sigg Collection of Contemporary Art from China”, Castello di Rivoli Museum of Contemporary Art, Torino (Italy, 2020); “Racket of Cobwebs”, Tang Contemporary Art, Hong Kong, China, 2020; “Mobile Immobile”, Archives Nationales Pierrefitte-sur-Seine (France, 2019); “2050, A Brief History of the Future”, National Taiwan Museum of Art, Taichung, (Taiwan, 2018), etc.
In 2019, Ai Weiwei won the GQ Magazine Men of the Year 2019 award in the artist category. His largest exhibition to date “RAIZ” is also the highest-ranking show by a single artist in The Art Newspaper visitor figures survey for 2019.
Atreyu Moniaga
b. 1988, based in Indonesia.
Atreyu Moniaga graduated with a degree in Communications and Visual Design from the Jakarta Institute of the Arts (IKJ) and started his career in the creative scene as a freelance illustrator and photographer before fully immersing himself as a fine artist. His works are influenced by dark fantasies with a tinge of surrealism, in which he combines visual symbolisms as a way to communicate his most private thoughts, feelings, and desires. His works are characterised by a whimsical universe, adorned with beautiful ornamental details.
A lifelong fascination with symbols and their intricate meanings has been a driving inspiration for the artist since a young age. This innate captivation has led him to embark on an artistic journey, utilizing his creations as a profound medium for conveying thoughts and emotions. His artworks, replete with
enchanting intricacies and imaginative allure, stand as a testament of his personal odyssey toward self-discovery and self-acceptance.
Atreyu Moniaga’s recent solo exhibitions include “Solo Presentation”, Carl Kostyal Gallery, ArtSG (Singapore, 2024); “Conviction”, Kohesi Initiatives, Yogyakarta (Indonesia, 2022); KIAF, Seoul (South Korea, 2022); “Convide”, Kohesi Initiatives (Online, 2020). His recent group exhibitions include The Preview Art Fair, Seoul (South Korea, 2022); “Konvergensi”, RJ Katamsi, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 2022); Art Jakarta, JCC, Jakarta (Indonesia, 2022); “WIB”, Srisasanti Gallery, Titik Dua Ubud, Bali (Indonesia, 2022); “Celebration of Compassion”, Srisasanti Gallery, Yogyakarta (Indonesia, 2019); “Reciprocities”, Yogyakarta (Indonesia, 2022).
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Benzilla (Parinya Sirisinsuk)
b. 1984, based in Thailand.
Benzilla, a graduate of Fine Arts from Bangkok University, finds profound inspiration in the realms of Japanese and American Pop Culture, Street art and Sci-Fi. Guided by the character "LOOOK," a 3 eyes alien that presents a concept of perspective of an outsider. He combines the techniques of craft painting, spray painting, and graphic art to craft a mesmerizing narrative.
Benzilla’s work challenges boundaries, ignites contemplation, and humbly invites viewers to explore the intricate complexities of our world.
Diren Lee
b. 1983, based in South Korea.
Diren Lee builds a view on the world that cannot be explained by just one series of work. By releasing new series, mixing, and rebuilding it with her previous one, she creates her own world. All her works are painted on canvas with a single brush stroke, and such process is also linked to her desire to give the characters a living and breathing vitality.
Lee analyzes stories of unconsciousness through dreams beyond self-consciousness, then expresses the essence of consciousness on her canvas. All the characters in her dream are parts of a spiritual energy. The characters are expressed as connected creatures, stressing the meaning of “one-being”. Her previous works concentrates on analyzing inner scars, trying to expose and overcome her inner self through the interpretation of dreams and unconsciousness. Her work reflects a journey through the mental trauma caused by failure or humiliation, and her struggle to overcome the anxiety that followed. From this point onward, her work begins to feature comforting, expressive eyes and soft colors, illustrating the journey of overcoming adversity and the sweet, beautiful fruits that follow suffering. She aims to convey comfort and warmth through gestures of hugging and eye contact.
Selected exhibitions include: “Global Song”, Tang Contemporary Art, Hong Kong, China , 2022; “Back to Work”, Waluso Gallery, UK , 2021; “Turning Point”, Gallery Doo, S. Korea , 2021; “Stay with us”, Humax art room x Open gallery, S. Korea , 2020; “Fruit”, L Gallery, S. Korea , 2019; “On those that disappear”, MIEL Gallery, S. Korea , 2018.
She has also participated in art fairs including: Kiaf, S. Korea , 2021, Affordable Art Fair Battersea, UK , 2020, One Art Taipei, China , 2020; Affordable Art Fair Singapore, Singapore; Art Expo Malaysia , 2019 , Kuala Lumpr, Malaysia; BAMA , Busan Annual Market of Art Busan, S. Korea , 2019; Asia Contemporary Art Show, Hong Kong , 2019; Art Expo Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia , 2018; Art Gyeongju, Gyeongju, S. Korea , 2016; Spoon art fair, Gallery Sein, S. Korea , 2015; Art show Busan, Busan BEXCO, S. Korea , 2015.
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Edgar Plans
b. 1977, based in Spain.
Edgar Plans, categorized as the most popular Spanish contemporary artist, grew up and is now based with his family in the northern Spanish town of Gijón. After earning a degree in Art History from the University of Oviedo, Plans started to participate in small exhibitions in local galleries. As of today, his works have been exhibited in Museums such as the MOMA Museum in Moscow, Russia and the Xiao Museum in Rizhao, China. Plans has been featured in many solo shows at VILLAZAN, working alongside with PERROTIN Gallery as well, and has recently appeared in a solo booth at Art Central Hong Kong in March 2023. Edgar Plans names graffiti, street art, comic books, illustrations, and animated films as major influences. Yet it is really his characters, which Plans describes as “Hero Animals,” which have helped the artist win popularity and a number of gallery shows around Spain. His work has found high demand on the secondary market in which his paintings have sold for six figures. Despite their vibrant color palette and cartoon-indebted aesthetics, Plans’s paintings tackle serious subject matter: with his animal heroes he intends to criticize gender violence, racism, and envy.
Etsu Egami
b. 1994, based in China and Japan.
Etsu Egami is a representative of the third generation of post-war Japanese contemporary artists, actively involved in Japan, China, United States, and Europe. She studied at The Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design (HFG) in Germany and at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. Currently, she is a postdoctoral researcher at Tsing Hua University. She is particularly interested in the process of miscommunication and rethinking society through language.
Gongkan
b. 1989, based in Thailand.
Graduating from Kasetsart University Laboratory School in 2007 and from Silpakorn University’s Faculty of Decorative Arts in 2011, Kantapon Metheekul, better known as Gongkan, currently resides and works in Bangkok, Thailand. After completing his studies at Silpakorn University, Gongkan moved to New York City to pursue continuing education in fine arts at the School of Visual Arts (SVA). There, he spent three years working in the creative departments of advertising agencies.
In his spare time, he created street art and illustrations based on the concept of being transported through time and space back to his homeland. This work, which he called “Teleport Art,” gained recognition in the New York street art scene and later in Bangkok. Time is a central theme in Gongkan’s paintings, which feature surrealistic canvases populated by human figures and rendered with graphic flat strokes. By presenting alternate visions of the present or reimagining the past, Gongkan creates unique realities through his art.
His selected and recent solo exhibitions include “Private but Public” Tang Contemporary Art, Seoul (Seoul, South Korea，2023); “Inner Place” Tang Contemporary Art, Beijing (China, 2022); “Gongkan: For someone who hate the Rainbow”, Over the Influence, Paris (France, 2022); “Introspection”, Tang Contemporary Art, Bangkok (Thailand, 2021); “Tip of the Iceberg”, Over the Influence, Los Angeles (US, 2021); “Yestertedaytomorrow”, River City Bangkok, Bangkok (Thailand, 2019), etc. Selected group exhibitions include: “Inquiry to the wall: International Young Artist Invitational Exhibition” , Soul Art Center, Beijing (China, 2023); “Post-me Generation: How to write about young artists”, Tang Contemporary Art, Beijing (China, 2022); “Group show: Falling”, Tang Contemporary Art, Beijing (China, 2022); “Art Macao: Macao International Art Biennale 2021”, Macao Museum of Art (Macao, 2021); “Retrospective Utopia”, Tang Contemporary Art, Bangkok (Thailand, 2020), etc.
Jonas Burgert
b. 1969, based in Germany.
Jonas Burgert graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts, Berlin, in 1996 and later studied for a postgraduate title (Meisterschueler) under Professor Dieter Hacker in Berlin. Since 1998, his work has been featured in numerous group shows worldwide, including “Geschichtenerzaehler” at Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg (2003), and “Triumph of Painting Part VI” at Saatchi Gallery, London (2006). Since 2006, Burgert has also held solo exhibitions globally.
Burgert explores contemporary life and human existence in his artwork. He is particularly interested in the "subtext," starting with questions like "What lies beneath people? What lies beneath the underlying layer?"
He works on both large canvases, which feature grand narratives, and smaller canvases, which include meticulous observations and mystical depictions. While the former provides an overview of his overarching perspective, the latter offers a glimpse into his more detailed viewpoint. His works often feature strange figures in unusual attire, painted faces, and ambiguous objects, with shimmering colors and grotesque forms emphasizing the balance between memory and imagination.
He frequently asks himself, "How can I visually represent what lies beneath the surface?" This exploration may involve subtle hints at times or more dramatic revelations at others. Burgert is intrigued not only by exploring the negative aspects but also by delving into what lies beneath the positive, making this dual perspective a compelling aspect of his work.
Selected solo exhibitions include “Ein Dorn weich: Recent Drawings” at Stephen Ongpin Fine Art, London (UK, 2022); “Raub und Bleib” at Produzentengalerie, Hamburg (Germany, 2022); “Blüht und Lügt” at Long Museum West Bund, Shanghai (China, 2021); “Blindstich” at Tang Contemporary Art, Beijing (China, 2020); “Sinn Frisst” at Arp Museum Bahnhof Rolandseck (Germany, 2020); and “Ein Klang Lang” at Tang Contemporary Art, Hong Kong SAR (China, 2019), among others. Selected group exhibitions include “Flower” at Choi&Choi Gallery, Seoul (Korea, 2022); “German Painting Now” at Telegraph Gallery, Olomouc (Czechia, 2021); “Szene Berlin” at Hall Art Foundation (Germany, 2020); “Kirchner · Richter · Burgert” at me Collectors Room Berlin, Olbricht Foundation (Germany, 2019); and “Where Is the Madness You Promised Me” at Hudson Valley MOCA, New York (USA, 2019), among others.
Public collections include the Long Museum, Shanghai; Burger Collection, Hong Kong; Denver Art Museum, US; Rubell Family Art Collection, US; and Taguchi Art Collection, Japan.
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Kitti Narod
b. 1976, based in Thailand.
Kitti Narod trained at Wittayalai Pohchang Art College, Bangkok, from 1996 - 1998, and later obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Rajamonkong Institute of Technology in 2000. He has exhibited extensively both domestically and internationally, including in Singapore, London, Bath, Edinburgh, Manchester, Dublin, Cork, Montreal, and Melbourne.
Narod creates paintings that convey a sense of joy and optimism through gentle and warm portrayals of daily life and human relationships. In his paintings, everyone and everything exist together in a utopia. This notion may seem unrealistic to some, especially during an era of social division, but the artist’s work tries to remind us to appreciate the simple pleasures and raise attention to everyday mundane matters. In which, euphoric feelings will not seem so unattainable. The artist considers his works to be an intersection for diversity, where all the physical and spiritual are equal.
Leng Guangmin
b. 1986, based in China.
While studying oil painting at Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, Leng Guangmin began to explore ways to break away from traditional oil painting methods, establishing himself as a significant artist of the '80s generation. Unlike the conventional approach of layering paint, he innovated by creating a new physical space within the image through the technique of slicing. This method reflects his approach to art: keen, determined, and resolute.
Leng's consistent painting skills are evident as he dissects materials and images based on intuitive clues, though his work often lacks clear themes. The inherent tension in his paintings—formed by confrontations, opposing yet complementary colors, layered and scraped materials, hard-edged and gradient textures, and conformal versus negative structures—creates a unique attraction. His work refines the inner order behind complex and numerous objects, presenting them in a highly abstract and ever-changing state.
Key solo exhibitions include: "Shell, like the Wings of a Cicada" at MAHO KUBOTA GALLERY, Tokyo, Japan (2023); Personal Project at West Bund Art & Design Fair, Shanghai, China (2019); "Ripples" at MAHO KUBOTA GALLERY, Tokyo, Japan (2018); "Perfect Destruction" at Hive Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing, China (2017); and “Hive · Becoming II: See the Appearance: The Solo Exhibition of Leng Guangmin” at Hive Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing, China (2013), among others.
Liu Youran
b. 1996, based in China.
Liu Youran graduated with both bachelor's and master's degrees from the China Academy of Fine Arts. She currently lives and works in Hangzhou, China.
Liu explores various possibilities for expressing women's identities in contemporary society, focusing on their perspectives and realistic situations. Using a surrealist painting language, she addresses the conflict between women's efforts to establish themselves and the expectations imposed by their surroundings, presenting this tension in a nuanced and subtle manner.
Ming Ying
b. 1995, based in London.
Ming Ying is known for her vivid and semi-abstract paintings of groups and individuals within domestic and public settings. As a London-based artist who was born in Beijing, Ming reflects on the predominance of western cultures, whilst also conveying the social phenomena of detachment, bewilderment and aspiration that arises out of the process of western integration for those from different cultural backgrounds.
In recent years her work have been awarded and shortlisted for a number of prestigious prizes including: First prize of “Effect Edge” International Juried Exhibition(2019); Winner of Khojaly Peace Prize for Art (2017); Chadwell Award (2020) Lynn Painter-Stainer Prize (2018); Ashurst Emerging artist prize (2018).
Qin Qi
b. 1975, based in China.
Qin Qi graduated from the Department of Oil Painting at Lu Xun Academy in Shenyang in 1999. He received his Master’s degree from the same institution in 2002 and has been teaching there since then. He currently lives and works in Shenyang.
Qin Qi's works are characterized by a surreal dimension, through which he aims to depict familiar elements in a reconfigured context. His compositions often feature still life, real landscapes, dream-like scenarios, and sketches from nature—elements that he thoughtfully assembles to illustrate the coexistence of different worlds. As a visual thinker, Qin Qi's compositions, though often imbued with a sense of ambiguity, serve as subtle representations of a consciousness that transcends forms to explore deeper meanings.
Tiffany Lafuente
b. 1989, based in Philippines.
Tiffany Lafuente is a Filipino contemporary artist known for her whimsically provocative depictions of reality and convention. She graduated cum laude from the University of the Philippines-Diliman with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree major in Painting. She has already set herself as a trailblazer in the art world, having presented in over ten solo shows in just five years of her professional career.
Lafuente’s painting use humor as a vehicle of storytelling to expose people’s pretentions, mischiefs, and vulnerabilities.
Woo Kukwon
b. 1976, based in South Korea.
At first glance, Woo Kukwon’s canvas resembles a scene from a fairy tale. His works are characterized by colorful, child-like imagery and thick, textured paint. Whether using a brush, pencil, or even his fingers, Kukwon employs whatever tool best creates the texture he envisions. However, upon closer inspection, his art reveals a more complex narrative. The initial lightness and cheerfulness fade as one notices the detailed surroundings and the cynical text that overlays the images, prompting deeper reflection. Kukwon leaves interpretation to the viewer, and as his nickname "Korean Basquiat" suggests, he is highly sought after by collectors following each of his exhibitions.
Kukwon often features adorable children and animals in his work, intentionally avoiding a clear point of view or explanation. These friendly, fairy-tale-like images make his art accessible to audiences of all ages. This initial charm draws viewers in, encouraging them to engage with the artwork and seek their own interpretations. His clever inclusion of phrases like “I hate mornings” or “The more I know about people, the more I like my dog” likely contributes to the extended contemplation his work inspires, offering a blend of bitter yet sincere humor. The contrast between the bright, balanced imagery and the serious text creates a dynamic that invites viewers to revisit his work repeatedly.
Woo Kukwon’s imaginary world is both free and unconstrained. The use of unconventional colors feels familiar, and the depiction of a girl and an animal sleeping together harmonizes naturally on the canvas. As Kukwon has expressed, “My work starts from frank emotions such as happiness, joy, jolliness, anger, hate, jealousy, envy, weakness, frustration, etc., almost like a child who spends half a day happily just by wiggling his toes.”
His works are held in collections by major institutions, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea; Kolon Group; Ilshin Cultural Foundation; and the LVMH Foundation.
Yoon Hyup
b. 1982, based in New York.
From a young age, he studied violin and skateboarded, initially aspiring to design skateboards. However, upon discovering painting, he shifted his focus to this new medium.
In the early 2000s, Yoon Hyup began improvising without sketches during his mural and live painting processes, marking a significant turning point in his artistic expression. His work is characterized by the free use of lines and dots to create minimalistic compositions from a unique perspective.
Yoon Hyup's art strongly reflects the various cultures he has encountered. Elements such as the rhythm and improvisation found in music, and the flexibility and radical perspectives from different cultures, are creatively translated into lines, dots, "rhythms," and colors in his work.
Yue Minjun
b. 1962, based in China.
Yue Minjun is a leading figure in Chinese contemporary art and an internationally renowned artist. He graduated from Hebei Normal University in 1983 with a major in oil painting and currently lives and works in Beijing, China. Since the early 1990s, Yue Minjun has been known for his exaggerated “Self-image,” which he has expanded into sculpture and printmaking in recent years. This “laughing man” often appears either independently or in collective depictions of daily life. With his eyes squinted and a wide grin, the “laughing man” uses dramatic gestures to comment on social phenomena in an ironic manner.
Since his participation in the 48th Venice Biennale in 1999, Yue Minjun has been regularly invited to represent China at the Venice Biennale, underscoring his significant artistic contributions. His distinctive style has highlighted the importance of contemporary Chinese art on the global stage.
In 2007, Yue Minjun was featured on the cover of Time magazine and was nominated as one of the “People Who Mattered” for that year, alongside figures like Vladimir Putin, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton. Yue Minjun was the only Chinese artist included in this recognition, with Time describing him as “the man to paint China” given the country's influence on the current and future global landscape.
Yue Minjun’s works are held in prominent collections both domestically and internationally. Institutions such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Denver Art Museum, Centre Pompidou (Francois Mitterrand), Busan Museum of Art, Guangdong Museum of Art, and Shenzhen Art Museum, among others, have included his artworks in their permanent collections.
Zhao Zhao
b. 1982, based in China and Los Angeles.
Zhao Zhao's art engages with real subjects across multiple mediums and explores the relationship between the individual and society. Zhao Zhao’s work focuses on the subtle emotional shifts that occur when confronted with diverse cultural influences. He blends contemporary art methods with traditional culture to create metaphors for people's living conditions and modern society’s realities in a globalized world. His art also reflects his views on the coexistence of collective and individual ideals.
In recent years, Zhao Zhao's bold and radical artistic practice has garnered international attention. He has held solo exhibitions and personal projects at institutions such as the Long Museum (Shanghai), Carl Kostyál (Stockholm), Song Art Museum (Beijing), Nanchizi Museum (Beijing), M+ (Hong Kong), and Hamburger Bahnhof Museum for Contemporary Art (Berlin) to name a few.
In 2023, he was selected for the Forbes list of Chinese contemporary young artists. In 2019, Zhao Zhao won the Artist of the Year Award at the Thirteenth Award of Art China (AAC). In 2017, his piece Project Taklamakan was featured as the poster and catalog cover image for the Yokohama Triennale. That same year, he was named one of China’s top 10 artists by CoBo and received the Young Artist of the Year Nomination Award at the Eleventh Award of Art China (AAC).
Zhao Zhao has also developed artistic collaborations with brands such as Louis Vuitton, Land Rover, Nike, Vans, HARMAY, and Venvennet.