Zhang Yong

Zhang Yong’s work seeks to portray subjects of popular culture, questioning the fundamental values of the current era. His Durian inspired animal series brings together a sense of amusement, cuteness, and allurement through the irresistible 18-carat gold finish. It is offset by the thorny fierceness communicated through the spikes that surround the animals exterior.

One of his most iconic works to date, titled Hug Me – is a teddy bear covered with golden spikes that has viewers torn between ‘Oohs’ and ‘Ahhs’. Teddy bears are one of the most recognisable and familiar characters, they have long been used as a symbol for innocent companionship, a warm, cuddly safety mechanism.

Zhang’s version of the teddy bear is far more complex. The bear is cute, and the gold alluring, but the thorny spikes create a self-defence mechanism that protects the bear's innocence and warns away those who wish to touch. Eventually, of course, the viewer can’t resist and builds up the courage to reach out.

Zhang Yong graduated from Central Academy of Fine Arts with a master’s degree in sculpting. Born in Shandong in 1986, he now lives and works in Beijing.

Zhang Yong’s work seeks to portray subjects of popular culture, questioning the fundamental values of the current era. His Durian inspired animal series brings together a sense of amusement, cuteness, and allurement through the irresistible 18-carat gold finish. It is offset by the thorny fierceness communicated through the spikes that surround the animals exterior.

One of his most iconic works to date, titled Hug Me – is a teddy bear covered with golden spikes that has viewers torn between ‘Oohs’ and ‘Ahhs’. Teddy bears are one of the most recognisable and familiar characters, they have long been used as a symbol for innocent companionship, a warm, cuddly safety mechanism.

Zhang’s version of the teddy bear is far more complex. The bear is cute, and the gold alluring, but the thorny spikes create a self-defence mechanism that protects the bear's innocence and warns away those who wish to touch. Eventually, of course, the viewer can’t resist and builds up the courage to reach out.

Zhang Yong graduated from Central Academy of Fine Arts with a master’s degree in sculpting. Born in Shandong in 1986, he now lives and works in Beijing.

Education

2013 - Bachelor Degree in Sculpture, Central Academy of Fine Arts, China

Awards

2011 - Latitude 31, Longitude 103, won the first place in the exhibition “Footprint, Youth” organized by Central Academy of Fine Arts

2013 - Excellence Award for sculpture Water Margin, Central Academy of Fine Arts

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2021 - The Land of Reversal, Common Art Centre, Beijing, China

2020 - Zhang Yong Solo Exhibition, Common Art Centre, Beijing, China

2019 - Affordable Art Fair Singapore, Singapore

2016 - Water Margin, Shandong, China

Selected Group Exhibitions

2022

Art Plus, 798 Yue Art Space, Beijing, China

Trending, Yellow Box Art Museum, Qingdao, China

Forward, Cang Art Museum, Hangzhou, China

2019

Art Expo, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Art Taipei, Taiwan

Melbourne Art Fair, Australia

Curitiba International Biennial of Contemporary Art, Curitiba, Brazil

The Longest Day-Contemporary Art Exhibition, Beijing TFC, Beijing, China

Remodel the Future-China and Latin American International Art Exhibition, Susan Culture Creative Park, Beijing, China

2018

Affordable Art Fair Singapore, Asian Art Platform, Singapore

Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong, Asian Art Platform, Hong Kong

Spring Wave 2018 – Qingdao Sculpture Biennale, Qingdao Sculpture Museum, China

2017

From the Beginning, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China

Red Exhibition, Athens, Greece

Across the Ocean 2017 – Chinese Contemporary Arts, Santiago, Chile

2016

2116 Art of Leverage, curated by Anne Tom Wong, Toronto, Canada

Spring Wave Exhibition, Qingdao, China

Colourful Life – An Invited Joint Exhibition for Contemporary Chinese Arts, Costa Rica

Behind Sculpting – Double Exhibition, 798 XYZ Gallery, Beijing, China

Hua Jia Di Bienial Exhibition, Beijing, China

2014

Brotherhood, 789 Revelli Gallery, Beijing, China

All Gods, 789 Revelli Gallery, Beijing, China

2012

Liu, Guan, Zhang, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China

Nine Artists Joint Exhibition, Tai Wan, China

Important Collection

2017 Artwork Power in the Sky掌中苍穹，National Art Museum, Beijing, China

2016 Artwork Tai Chi Bear, collected by Chinese Embassy, Santiago, Chile

2015 Artwork Tai Chi Bear, collected by Chilean National Zoo, Santiago, Chile