29. GENG JIANJI
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2008
106*150cm (42"*59")
photograph
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2008
20*25cm (8"*10")
photograph|gelatin silver print
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BIO & STEPS
Born:
In 1962, in Zhengzhou, Henan (China)
Studies:
He
graduated from the Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts (China Academy of Art,
Hangzhou), Oil Painting Department.
Nowadays:
Lives and Works in Hangzou and teaches at the
China Academy of Art
First
Exhibition: in 1989
Themes and
style:
A main
focus of the extensive oeuvre of the artist Geng Jianyi is the issue of
individual identity, i.e., his own personal position within the context of the
collective whole. Despite his practice of diverse aesthetics and media
(including activist street art, oil painting, installation art, and ink
drawing), the artist never ceases to explore the questions of the 'self' in
today's world. His work can be described as 'after-images' that continuously
veil and unveil fragments of the individual. Geng Jianyi demonstrates an
intense concern for self-awareness and a strong interest in the multitude of
forms by which the individual is expressed and represented.
He is a a principal
member of the ’85 New Wave movement, Geng Jianyi’s work examines the
relationship between the individual and the collective. In his 2001 “Face” series,
for example, Geng used photosensitive paper to create ghostly portraits
composed of the bare minimum of forms necessary to distinguish one face from
another, referencing the tension between existence and dissolution. Geng has
also collaborated with fellow Chinese artist Zhang Peili, with whom he founded
the Pool Society group and created a number of performances and video works.
Techniques:
In
recent years, Geng has focused on oil painting, installations, and photography,
often returning to the themes of individuality and alienation.
Selected
Solo Exhibitions
Wu Zhi, Geng Jianyi Works 1985-2008,
Minsheng Art Museum, Shanghai (2012);
Geng Jianyi, Excessive Transition,
ShanghART Beijing (2008)
Selected
Group Exhibitions
GWANGJU Biennale , Korea (2014)
85
New Wave, The Birth of Chinese Contemporary Art, UCCA, Beijing (2007)
The 1st Guangzhou Trienniale, Guangdong
Museum of Art (2002)
Another Long March, Chinese Conceptual Art in
the 1990's, Breda, The Netherlands (1997)
45th Venice Biennale - Cardinal Points of the
Arts, Italy (1993)
China Avant-garde, Haus der Kulturen der
Welt, Berlin (1993)
China/Avant-Garde Art Exhibition, National
Art Museum of China, Beijing (1989).
Representative
Galleries:
Shangart Gallery
In
his Own Words:
“ Why has it taken so long for people to say
that my work has been important? Fortunately, the first solo exhibition is not
too late to be held.”
For
more Information:
http://www.shanghartgallery.com/galleryarchive/artist.htm?artistId=13§ion=intro
http://www.timeoutshanghai.com/features/Art-Art_Features/7784/Artists-Statement-Geng-Jianyi.html