(China, b.1988)
Yang Yang (China, b. 1988) holds a master’s degree from the Department of Sculpture at the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, and currently lives and works in Shanghai. Throughout his long-standing sculptural practice, he has focused on the materiality of the body as object, with individual expression rendered into forms enveloped by their material. Drawing from traditional materials, Yang excavates a sculptural language uniquely his own, mastering each medium to present, through condensed forms, the body and spirit of the “everyman” in contemporary society—chronicling the emotional climate of our era from an individual standpoint.
In his approach, Yang adeptly juxtaposes natural form with geometric structure, exploring through the contrast and unification of materials drawn from different times and contexts the coexistence of fragility and solidity, delicacy and coarseness. He selects Dehua white porcelain from Fujian as the embodiment of refined fineness, employing slip-casting and mold techniques while deliberately preserving the seam lines of the mold—a gesture echoing his contemplation of social discipline and the instinct for survival. This delicate white porcelain is often set against the rough, rusted surface of a steel base; the natural ochre patina that emerges from high-temperature welding and grinding enters into a striking dialogue with the warm, lustrous glaze of the porcelain. He also works with Yixing clay from Jiangsu as a foundation, harnessing its robust durability and the natural impurities it contains, which yield a deep, earthy texture when fired at over a thousand degrees. Combined with Italian Bianco Carrara glaze, the flowing white crystallizations merge with the coarse clay across the surface of each form.
For the unexpected fissures that arise during firing, Yang draws upon the traditional Japanese technique of gin-makie, tracing the cracks with pure silver powder and imbuing each work with a philosophical beauty that speaks to the passage of time. The artist also works with industrial carbon steel plate and raw iron, where polished silver tones and oxidized charcoal-black or natural rust enter into a charged dialogue—and confrontation—with the warm, refined ceramic body. These experiments and collisions of media are not merely physical recompositions but profound records of the era’s emotional pulse.
Through a vocabulary of forms that is restrained rather than exaggerated, Yang Yang conceals a high density of spirituality beneath a calm and tender surface, making each work a vessel for thought. Between the warmth and coolness, the coarseness and refinement of his materials, he successfully dissolves the objective limitations of figurative form, allowing viewers, through the tension of the visual encounter, to touch upon a spiritual resonance inherent to the warmth of human existence.
Education
M.F.A, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 2017
B.F.A, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 2014
Awards
2017 Outstanding Graduation Art, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University
2017 Outstanding Master's Thesis, Tsinghua University
2016 National Scholarship for Postgraduate Students
2015 Exhibition of Current Fine Arts Students: Nomination Award,2015 Color of Academy
2014 Outstanding Graduate, Tsinghua University
2014 Zeng Zhushao Art Scholarship Nomination Award
2013 Academic Excellence Scholarship, Tsinghua University
2012 Academic Scholarship, Tsinghua University
Group Exhibitions
2026 PEGASUS，Bluerider ART
2025 "The Aura River - We will eventually reach the sea", Bluerider ART, Shanghai
2024 The Contemporary Craft Criticism Academic Exhibition of National Art Fund Project 2023 , National Convention & Exhibition Center, Shanghai
2022 In The Winter Garden, J Gallery, Shanghai
2021 The Sequel of Light, No.52 Yongfu Road, Shanghai
2020 Hi21: The Young Artists Promotional Exhibition, Kuntai · Jiarui Cultural Center, Beijing
2018 Human and Nature: The China International Sculpture Exhibition, Zhengzhou Sculpture Park, Zhengzhou
2018 Artistic Conception with Nature: The Contemporary Public Art Theme Exhibition, China Garden Museum, Beijing
2017 Attitude: The First Wenzhou International Sculpture Exhibition, Huangshishan Sculpture Park, Wenzhou
2017 The 18th Changchun International Sculpture Exhibition, Yitong River, Changchun
2017 Chasing Light: Emerging Contemporary Art Promotional Exhibition, ArtandSpace, Beijing
2017 Art Without Boundaries: Emerging Contemporary Art Promotional Project, Mercedes Design Center, Beijing
2017 Youth Tendency: The Fifth National Biennial Exhibition of Excellent Students’ Public Visual Works, Shanghai Design Center, Shanghai
2017 The Zeng Zhushao Art Award Exhibition, China Sculpture Museum, Datong
2017 The National Excellent Sculptures Exhibition from University Graduates, Beijing
2017 MINI ART FAIR, Hui Space, Beijing
2017 Remodeling: Trio Exhibition of Sculpture, RedTop Gallery, Beijing
2016 City/Perception: The 2nd Shenzhen Sculpture Exhibition, Pingshan Sculpture Art Park, Shenzhen
2016 City of Flowers: The 17th China International Sculpture Exhibition, Changchun
2016 Fulcrum — Contemporary Art Works, QiaoShe Art Space, Beijing
2016 Attitude: The 4th China Sculpture Annual Exhibition", Shandong Art Museum, Jinan
2016 Academy Essence 2016: The International Academies Exhibition of Works by Students, Beijing
2015 Academy Essence 2015: Academy students’ Works Exhibition, CAFA Art Museum, Beijing
2014 Zeng Zhushao Art Award Exhibition, China Sculpture Museum, Datong
2013 Intervention/ZERO: Young Artst’ Contemporary Sculpture Exhibition, Zero Art Center, Beijing
Collections
Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, Beijing
Song Yafeng Culture Center, Beijing
Heming Lake Park，Baicheng，China
Changchun government，Changchun，China
Changchun international sculpture park, Changchun, China
Huangshishan Sculpture Park, Wenzhou, China
Shanghai government, Shanghai
Zhengzhou City Sculpture Park, Zhengzhou, China
J 酒店上海中心
上海中信 GALA MALL
