Contemporary artist Yuan Zhuang, born in China in 1994, currently resides and works between Los Angeles and London. In contemporary art, Yuan Zhuang is a highly acclaimed young artist. Her research is focused on exploring the relationship between personal identity and public identity, as well as the connection between humanity and nature. She utilizes various artistic forms and mediums to present her thoughts and ideas. Yuan Zhuang’s artistic journey officially commenced at the age of 19 when she enrolled at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, studying Fine art and traditional mural painting under the guidance of Wang Yingsheng. She solidified her unique perspective on artistic creation through study and practice during this period. Subsequently, she pursued a master’s degree in the Sculpture department at the Royal College of Art, graduating in 2021. She later lived and worked in London under the mentorship of Thomas J Price. Here, she delved into a wider range of artistic mediums and began creating art installations that combined 2D and 3D elements using mixed materials.
Yuan Zhuang’s contemporary art installations transcend specific styles, expressing her creativity by challenging existing concepts and aesthetic notions. In her early career, Yuan Zhuang was involved in creating large-scale public art installations, including murals for various temples in China, with the Jin Wen Gong Temple in Shanxi being a notable example. During this period, her works often exhibited strong cultural and historical aspects, aiming to showcase or shape the image and characteristics of society, cities, or communities. After her experiences studying and living in the UK, she shifted her focus to sculpture installations, emphasizing the exploration of material forms and reflecting on concepts such as humanity, space, and nature. Her artworks are highly interactive and multimedia, providing a profound sensory and psychological experience for the audience.
Recently, Yuan Zhuang’s latest immersive art installation, ‘Singing Nightingale,’ received the prestigious DNA Paris Design Award. This artwork transports the audience into a world of shimmering waves, creating a vibrant visual and melodic experience. “Singing Nightingale” explores the delicate balance between nature and urban existence. Through this immersive experience, Yuan Zhuang invites us to contemplate our relationship with nature amidst the chaos of city life and reminds us of the need to cherish and protect the natural world. Furthermore, her artistic creations often express care for the environment and concern for social psychological well-being.
Yuan Zhuang’s artistic creations typically feature large-scale dimensions, some exceeding nine meters in width. Her works adeptly capture the presence of light, creating a mysterious atmosphere. The imagery and ambiance in her works evoke a sense of closeness and distance, portraying both realism and virtuality. The artist’s profound exploration of traditional sculpture techniques is evident in her work, where she skillfully combines large blocks of black and white, controlled by dominant structural lines, to abstractly depict objects and achieve a simple yet visually impactful artistic effect, leaving a lasting impression.
Looking ahead, Yuan Zhuang hopes to delve further into societal and human realities, drawing inspiration from philosophical ideas. She aims to explore and express thoughts on the concepts of “self” and “other” through her artistic creations. As she continues to engage in a dialogue between her artistic language and both Chinese and Western cultures, she brings diverse perspectives and experiences to her audience. Zhuang’s artistic journey undoubtedly remains a path of exploration and practice, and there is every reason to anticipate her future works.
