"Landscape of Childhood" is a new series of paintings by Yan Peiming, presented by Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) in the 798 Art Zone. Following his "Les Funrailles de Monna Lisa exhibition" held at the Muse du Louvre in Feburary, this exhibition is Yan's first attempt to host a show with installations instead of canvases.
Thirty-four flags, arranged in rows, are attached to poles hanging upside down from the ceiling of the exhibition hall. These transparent-painted flags are visible from either side, creating a splendid silver scene.
These "floating paintings" is an original concept from Yan, and has portraits of sick children and orphans painted on the flags. Roaring winds produced by air-blowers make the flags billow and the images symbolically present the fate of these unfortunate children.
"Yan has become the ultimate artist portraying the iconic characters of our time," says Jrome Sans, director of the gallery. "His work stands as a major reference on the international contemporary art scene."
Born in Shanghai in 1960 and living in Dijon, France, since the early 1980s, Yan is one of the earliest Chinese artists to have settled abroad and developed an international career.
Famous for his monochromatic large portraits, Yan has been interested in the concepts of individuality and anonymity, and he also pays attention to the differences between Eastern and Western artistic traditions.
Time: 9 am-4:30 pm, until Oct 11
Venue: Ullens Center for the Contemporary Arts, 4 Jiuxianqiao Lu, Chaoyang district, Beijing
Tel: 010-8459 9269
(China Daily July 17, 2009)
