Cai Lei

Cai Lei was born in Jilin Province, China in 1983. He graduated with a BFA in Sculpture at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, China. As a 80s generation Chinese artist, Cai Lei has been highly successful in the international art scene. He has exhibited in the Foundation Taylor, France, Louisiana State University Museum of Art, USA and the Jacksonville Museum on Contemporary Art, USA. He currently lives and works in Beijing, China.

Cai Lei’s works originate from his personal experiences, feelings and interpretation of his life. He assimilates his life with his own works to depict a truth that resonates with his viewers. Cai believes that his works must only contain the verity of his feelings, the natural state of his soul that is not deliberately intervened with.

Cai Lei was born in Jilin Province, China in 1983. He graduated with a BFA in Sculpture at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, China. As a 80s generation Chinese artist, Cai Lei has been highly successful in the international art scene. He has exhibited in the Foundation Taylor, France, Louisiana State University Museum of Art, USA and the Jacksonville Museum on Contemporary Art, USA. He currently lives and works in Beijing, China.

Cai Lei’s works originate from his personal experiences, feelings and interpretation of his life. He assimilates his life with his own works to depict a truth that resonates with his viewers. Cai believes that his works must only contain the verity of his feelings, the natural state of his soul that is not deliberately intervened with.

Cai plays with dimensions as a language in his works. He explores the relationship between space and illusion. The artist creates an illusory space that fluctuates between being two and three-dimensional. His interest in flatness outweighs his interest in space and volume. Using a two-dimensional plane as the foundation for his paintings and sculptures, he manages to manipulate the visual interpretation of his viewers. The painted interiors of hallways or corners oscillate between protruding and receding; creating a visual experience that is unique to each viewer.

Education

2015
Master Degree in Fine Arts, Central Academy of Fine Arts, China

2009
Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts, Central Academy of Fine Arts, China

2004
Luxun Academy of Fine Arts attached middle school

Solo Exhibition

2016
Echelle des plans, Tang Contemporary Art, Beijing
In Ambiguous Sight, Unaccompanied, Tang Contemporary Art, Hong Kong

2015
In Ambiguous Sight, Linda Gallery, Beijing, China

2014
Method of Descent, Cai Lei Solo Exhibition”, Linda Gallery, Singapore

Group Exhibition

2017
Communication – China Brazil Contemporary Art Exhibition, Minsheng Art Museum, Beijing, China
All Tigers On The Roof, Hive Centre for Contemporary Art, Shenzhen, China
Motif and Material, Tang Contemporary, Hong Kong
This is not an exhibition, NA SPACE, Shanghai, China

2016
Non-Mainstream Panting – An Invited Exhibition for Post 80s Artists, Hive Centre for Contemporary Art, Beijing, China
Spinning Tower: An Experimental Ground For Young Art, Time Art Museum, Beijing, China
Unfamiliar, Galerie Paris – Beijing, Paris, France

2015
Across: Arts Need No Explanation, Today Art Museum, Beijing, China
Luo Zhong Li Scholarship Ten Years Anniversary Exhibition, Chong Qing Contemporary Art Museum, Chong Qing, China
Thousand of Miles, Award-winning Exhibition, CAFA Museum, Beijing, China
Evolution of Models, A+ Contemporary, Shanghai, China
Concept Symbol, Language and New Dimension, Poly Hong Kong Art Space, Hong Kong
The Story of Painting, Ginkgo Art Centre, Beijing, China
Painting: 20 x 20, Poly Art Museum, Beijing, China
Within Sight – Chinese New Painting at Post-Financial Crisis Era, Frances Foundation Taylor, Paris, France
Within Sight – Chinese New Painting at Post-Financial Crisis Era, Chang Jiang Museum for Contemporary Arts, Chong Qing, China

2014
Between – Contemporary Art Show, Kunstmuseum Bonn, Bonn, Germany
Within Slight – Chinese New Painting at Post-Financial Crisis Era, Poly Art Museum, Chong Qing, China
World Tour, One Thousand Space, Beijing, China
Soft Abstraction as Constellation, UCCA, Beijing, China

2013
Youth Sculpture, Jia Ming Centre, Beijing, China
China’s Sculpture Exhibition, National Grand Theatre, Beijing, China
Method of Descent, Artist Project, Art Stage, Singapore

2012
Cai Lei – Li Di Joint Exhibition, Marseilles, France
Colourful, Raphael Art Centre, Beijing, China
Latitude – Attitude, Parkview Green, Beijing, China
The International Youth Art Festival, Yue Art Gallery, Beijing, China
Empty Eyes, Chinese Sculpture Exhibition of 22 Artists, River Gallery, Beijing, China

2011
CARING ROBOT, A Charity Show, International Financial Centre, Hong Kong
New Sculpture Joint Exhibition, 0 Art Space, Beijing, China
Elective”, Qian Hou Art Space, Beijing, China

2010
One and One, Times Art Museum, Beijing, China
The Upstairs Youth, Times Art Museum, Beijing, China

2009
Luo Zhong Li Scholarship Exhibition, Si Chuan Academy of Fine Arts, Chong Qing, China
New Recruits, My Generation, Schoeni Art Gallery, Hong Kong
Not Realistic, O Art Space, Beijing, China
Shanghai Youth Art Exhibition, Liu Haili Art Museum, Shanghai, China
Thousand Miles, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China

2008
Sculpting, Moon River Contemporary Art Museum, Beijing, China

Awards

2016
Nomination, Art Eight – China’s Young Artist

2015
Unfinished Home was won the first place in Central Academy of Fine Arts Graduation Show

2012
Grand Prize, May Fourth International Art Festival

2009
Artwork "We I; We II" won Luo Zhongli scholarship
Artwork “We” & “They” won Second Place in Central Academy of Fine Arts Graduation Show.

2007
Sculpture “Cloth” won First Place in Central Academy of Fine Arts Competition.