HU XIANGCHENG

This exhibition solely focuses on Hu’s paintings and drawings. Nine major works from the past three decades were carefully selected to demonstrate Hu’s relentless practice and to confirm his status as a major artist of the intense time of his life.

49 of Hu’s free and whimsical drawings from recent times are hidden in its own space surrounded by the larger works. “The Obscure” is the title the artist chose for his first exhibition with ShanghART Gallery.

About ArtistHu Xiangcheng, a pioneer of China contemporary art, has dedicated his life to delving into and pushing the boundaries of art. Born in Shanghai in 1950, Hu graduated from the Shanghai Theatre Academy (STA) in 1976. His academic journey continued as he shared his knowledge with students at his former school and Tibet University. In the mid-1980s, Hu set his sights on Japan to further his artistic studies and pursuits. After earning his qualifications in 1991, he embarked on a global odyssey, traversing Africa, Europe, and the Americas to deepen his artistic research. Upon his return to China in 2000, he shifted his focus to rural revitalisation efforts in the Jiangnan region. By 2012, he had fully recommitted himself to artmaking. Hu Xiangcheng’s oeuvre is a tapestry woven from the rich threads of his multifaceted experiences, reflecting a profound exploration of diverse cultures and identities. His work is characterised by its enigmatic and evocative imagery, which serves as both the signature and the driving force of his art.

His works have been included in local and international exhibitions such as the San Paulo Architecture Biennale, the International Sculpture Exhibition in Venice, the Contemporary Sculpture from China Exhibition in Hague, the Shanghai Biennale, the Yokohama Triennale, and the Guangzhou Triennial. He has also engaged in several solo exhibition: Asking Every Day, Power Station of Art, Shanghai (2024); Endless Dialogue Without Beginning or End, National Art Museum of China, Beijing (2020); Echolocations, Zhejiang Art Museum, Hangzhou (2014).