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 inthe 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
Artworks in the wild
Golden Hug Me I
– Collectors Home, Singapore
Hug Me I
– Collectors Home, Singapore
Love Me II
– Bordier 1844 Office, Singapore
Golden Hug Me I
– Collectors Home, Singapore
Hug Me I
– Collectors Home, Singapore
Love Me II
– Bordier 1844 Office, Singapore
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