Press Release

Opening on 23 April, ShanghART Beijing is delighted to present the second chapter of special project First Spring during the Gallery Weekend Beijing 2021. The exhibition will feature Sun Xun’s hand-drawn animation ‘Mythological Time’ and a set of relevant cell drawings.

Mythological Time was a commissioned work by the Guggenheim Museum in New York for the 2016 exhibition Tales of Our Time, and this will be its first showcase in China. Comprising a series of classical Chinese paintings on traditional bark paper, this animation explores Sun Xun’s hometown Fuxin, a city in northeastern China home to a famous coal mine. It narrates how the industrial city that used to be incomparably significant has now fallen into oblivion, while interweaving with legendary folks tales, alternative political beliefs and recurring historical evolutions. Throughout this journey we can capture a moment of history, which nevertheless is dark and heavy.

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About the Artist

The works of Sun Xun are mainly drawing and/or short animation. Sun Xun also exhibits his individual cell drawings and other mixed media works, often times alongside his films. His series of small mixed media works, entitled Shock of Time (2006), challenged notions of time, history and narration and utilised media such as newspapers, books and other documentary material that served to highlight certain passages of history. 21 KE (2010) was produced 3 years after its commencement and mainly completed by use of pastel and fusain on canvas. It constructs an impressive world full of wonders all in black and white. Some Actions Which Haven’t Been Defined yet in the Revolution (2011) is made by woodblock printing—a technique that was an important tool during the Cultural Revolution. This printing technique was used as an primary means of communication to quickly convey information to the masses. Clown’s Revolution (2010), Beyond-ism (2010) and other such new works exhibit Sun Xun’s recent attempt and breakthrough in the use of Chinese ink painting in his work. Although it is difficult, there is no doubt that the works are a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary art.

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Also Exhibiting at ShanghART

About the Gallery

ShanghART gallery was initiated in 1996 in Shanghai. It has since grown to become one of China’s most influential art institutions and a vital resource to the development of contemporary art in China with two spaces in 50 Moganshan Road (Main Space and H-Space), a public warehouse space in West of Shanghai (ShanghART Taopu), and a gallery space in Beijing and representing over 40 artists.

Being recognized for its importance ShanghART became the initial gallery from China participating in major international art fairs like Art Basel and Fiac, Paris. ShanghART gallery also enjoys the great respect of being among the 75 most influencial galleries selected in Thames & Hudson’s publication ‘International Art Galleries: Post-war to Post-millennium.’

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Address
261 Caochangdi, Airport Side Road
Chaoyang District
Beijing
China
Opening Hours
Tuesday - Saturday
11am - 6pm

Sunday, Monday
Closed
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Beijing 261 Caochangdi, Airport Side Road, Chaoyang District
ShanghART
261 Caochangdi, Airport Side Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

Opening hours
Tuesday - Saturday
11am - 6pm

Sunday, Monday
Closed
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