Jiang Zhaojin (Wanlin)
Selected works
Jiang Zhaojin (Wanlin)

Jiang Zhaojin (Wanlin) is a Chinese artist who lives and works in Beijing.
Indigo-hued denim is her chosen medium, with which she creates intricate artwork so precisely executed they resemble traditional Chinese ink paintings. Beyond the aesthetic qualities of her works, Jiang transformed the traditional presentation to something direct and perhaps more digestible style of communication of the ancient art – Chinese landscape painting (shanshui).
Denim as a fabric has a long history, originally registered as a patent back in 1873, denim jeans have now become a universal symbol of both utilitarian sturdiness and stylishness for rebels and fashionistas alike. It represents a modern style that transcends usage, age and class.
Interestingly the essence of shanshui possesses similar qualities. Unlike the Western Plein Air painting, Shanshui goes against the common definition of what a painting is. It refutes colour, light and shadow and personal brush work, it’s a reflection or interpretation of one’s own understanding of the scenery. Shanshui painting is not an open window for the viewer’s eye, not a “copy” of the scenery, it is an object for the viewer’s mind and a philosophy of life. Just like the denim jeans that is a vehicle of liberation, it eliminates the boundaries between the rich and the poor.
Jiang Zhaojin (Wanlin) is a Chinese artist who lives and works in Beijing.
Indigo-hued denim is her chosen medium, with which she creates intricate artwork so precisely executed they resemble traditional Chinese ink paintings. Beyond the aesthetic qualities of her works, Jiang transformed the traditional presentation to something direct and perhaps more digestible style of communication of the ancient art – Chinese landscape painting (shanshui).
Denim as a fabric has a long history, originally registered as a patent back in 1873, denim jeans have now become a universal symbol of both utilitarian sturdiness and stylishness for rebels and fashionistas alike. It represents a modern style that transcends usage, age and class.
Interestingly the essence of shanshui possesses similar qualities. Unlike the Western Plein Air painting, Shanshui goes against the common definition of what a painting is. It refutes colour, light and shadow and personal brush work, it’s a reflection or interpretation of one’s own understanding of the scenery. Shanshui painting is not an open window for the viewer’s eye, not a “copy” of the scenery, it is an object for the viewer’s mind and a philosophy of life. Just like the denim jeans that is a vehicle of liberation, it eliminates the boundaries between the rich and the poor.
With her well-rounded understanding of the fundamental values of traditional shanshui, Jiang injects a modern approach that is re-envisioning the relationship between the old and the new. Her work channels a bridge between traditional art with the contemporary world, she incorporates materials that represent current society; she takes advantage of the familiarity led the viewers to form an immediate connection with the art.
Jiang is a big believer in sustainability, and has worked with many major brands such as New Balance, and Levi’s on this topic. She has been constantly finding new, creative ways to make art that can benefit the environment, whether that is by using accessible and reused materials, or inspiring and creating social awareness on such topics.
Education
2018 Master’s Degree in Chinese Painting, University of Sichuan Conservatory of Music
2017 Exchange Art Study, Universita IUAV di Venezia and Academy of Fine Arts, Florence, Italy
2015 Bachelor’s Degree in Chinese Ink Painting, University of Sichuan Conservatory of Music
2014 Exchange Art Study, Kookmin University, South Korea
Solo Exhibitions
2022 Landscape, Jindu Art Centre, Beijing
2020 Landscape Weaving – Shallow Crossing, Common Art Centre, Beijing
2019 Poetry of Poverty, Common art centre, Beijing
Group Exhibitions
2024 Affordable Art Fair, Hong Kong
2023 Affordable Art Fair, Singapore
2023 Affordable Art Fair, Hong Kong
2023 Art Jakarta, Indonesia
2022 Hidden in the East, A Chinese Journey – Contemporary Ink”, Berlin
2022 Observation, Angle FFA Exhibition, FFA Art Centre, Nanjing
2021 New Balance Refresh Run, Shanghai
2021 The Lau’s, Jiamu Luxury Store, Beijing
2021 First Chinese Fashion Art Year Book Exhibition, Guangzhou
2021 First International Public Art Fair, AIC Art summit, Guangzhou
2021 11th Creative Art Fair, Rainbow Gallery. Shenzhen
2021 Fourth Beautiful Home, Baolong Art Museum, Shanghai
2020 Art Future, Art Taipei, Taiwan
2019 Art Taipei Co-Art Centre, Taipei, Taiwan
2019 Art Shenzhen, Common Art Centre, Shenzhen
2019 Art Qingyun Project 4, Virtual Room, Beijing
2019 Art Busan, Co-Art Centre, Busan, South Korea
2018 Road to Great Craftsmen – 3rd Painting & Calligraphy, Sichuan
2018 9th New Works Exhibition of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Art Museum
2017 6th Sichuan Youth Art Exhibition, Sichuan Art Museum, Chengdu
2017 Youth, Time and Space New Art Form, Hanfang Art Museum, Beijing
2016 3rd Prize – The Doctoral and Master’s Group Exhibition, Beijing
2015 1st Prize – Brilliant China 8th National Exhibition, Beijing
2014 2nd Chengdu Lintie Linseal Exhibition, Sichuan Art Museum, Chengdu
2013 4th Youth Art Exhibition of Sichuan Provence, Sichuan Art Museum, Chengdu
Artworks in the wild
Contact us for purchase enquiries or to book a private appointment.
Visit Us
Tue - Fri 10am - 6pm
Sat 10am - 5pm