Sheng QI
Sheng Qi is a contemporary artist born in 1989 in China at Anhui. He began his career by studying at the prestigious art academy of Beaux-Arts in China. But why is he famous? At first, he was recognised as the precursor of performance in China. He was brilliant in this domain. So he won prizes and also in photography. But Sheng Qi continues his practice by doing engaged art. His art reflects the pain of a population subjected to authority and forced to suffer. His artistic vocation has for ambition to express the feelings of the Chinese. By the body language, the culture, or the Chinese history. In other forms of photography like paint or sculpture. Contrary to the Chinese politics, he will not use violence to which it is opposed. But he will use meaningful messages with creativity and provocation. ” My art is my memory. I’m not only an artist. I’m a watcher and a history recorder. I use my paintbrush to record Chinese history during my life since 1965. These events are very important because they influence hundreds of millions of Chinese. They made my life. So I continue to record as sincerely I can. In black and red” Indeed, all his works have one thing in common: red and black. Two dominant colours connoted, black for serious, formal, high functions. Red, however, has a different connotation than in the West. In China, it expresses something joyful and good luck, used for big events like the New Year. It can also refer to blood and anger, as in the West in other photography.
Works
MEMORIES SERIE – My left hand
Biography
Sheng Qi is a contemporary artist born in 1989 in China at Anhui. He began his career by studying at the prestigious art academy of Beaux-Arts in China.
But why is he famous? At first, he was recognised as the precursor of performance in China. He was brilliant in this domain. So he won prizes and also in photography. But Sheng Qi continues his practice by doing engaged art.
Sheng Qi is a contemporary artist born in 1989 in China at Anhui. He began his career by studying at the prestigious art academy of Beaux-Arts in China.
But why is he famous? At first, he was recognised as the precursor of performance in China. He was brilliant in this domain. So he won prizes and also in photography. But Sheng Qi continues his practice by doing engaged art.
His art reflects the pain of a population subjected to authority and forced to suffer. His artistic vocation has for ambition to express the feelings of the Chinese. By the body language, the culture, or the Chinese history. In other forms of photography like paint or sculpture. Contrary to the Chinese politics, he will not use violence to which it is opposed. But he will use meaningful messages with creativity and provocation.
” My art is my memory. I’m not only an artist. I’m a watcher and a history recorder. I use my paintbrush to record Chinese history during my life since 1965. These events are very important because they influence hundreds of millions of Chinese. They made my life. So I continue to record as sincerely I can. In black and red”
Indeed, all his works have one thing in common: red and black. Two dominant colours connoted, black for serious, formal, high functions. Red, however, has a different connotation than in the West. In China, it expresses something joyful and good luck, used for big events like the New Year. It can also refer to blood and anger, as in the West in other photography.
Career
Solo exhibitions
2019
Your Mirror: Portraits from the ICP Collections, ICP Museum, USA
2011
Square, Fabien Frynss F2 Gallery, Beijing, China
Solo exhibitions
2019
Your Mirror: Portraits from the ICP Collections, ICP Museum, USA
2011
Square, Fabien Frynss F2 Gallery, Beijing, China
2009
New Paintings, Fabien Frynss F2 Gallery, Beijing, China
2006
Confidential, Fabien Frynss F2 Gallery, Beijing, China
1997
Fortune Cookies, Institute of Contemporary Art, London, UK
Group exhibitions
2026
Tout est Politique!, Fondation Francès, Clichy, France
2018
Mao and His Portrayal in Chinese Contemporary Art, Omer Tiroche Gallery, London, UK
Editions, Multiples and More, Red Gate Gallery, USA
2017
798- We Are Back, Red Gate Gallery, USA
2009
The Art of Caring: A Look At Life Through Photograph, , Museum Of Art, New Orleans, USA
2008
Half-Life of a Dream: Contemporary Chinese Art from the collection of Kent and Vicki Logan, Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco.
2007
Whispering Wind, First Center for Visual Arts, Nashville, USA
2006
Between Past and Future: New Photography and Video from China, Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin and Santa Barbara
Ruins-New Photography and Video from China, Institute of Visual Arts, Milwaukee, USA
2004
Between Past and Future, International Center of Photography, Asia Society and Museum, New York, USA
Over a Billion Served, Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver, USA
2002
Beijing Afloat, Beijing Tokyo Art Projects, Beijing, China
1998
Inside Out: New Chinese Art, P.S 1 Contemporary Art Center, MOMA, New York, USA
1993
China Avant-Garde, Museum of Modern Art, Oxford, UK