Wu Shaoxiang
Introduction
A pioneer in the modern abstract sculpture movement in China, Wu Shaoxiang is known for spearheading the incorporation of Western abstract forms into his oeuvre. Wu Shaoxiang was born in Jiangxi in 1957. Following the Cultural Revolution, he studied sculpture at the Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute and later moved to Beijing where he became actively involved in the '85 Movement. There he was awarded the first Beijing Art and Design Scholarship and completed a postgraduate degree at the Central Academy of Arts and Design. His earlier works exhibited elements of Western sculptural styles, due in part to his admiration for the geometrical forms favored by Brancusi and Henry Moore. The round and sensuous shapes lent Shaoxiang's forms a more sexualized language, setting him apart from his more conservative counterparts in China.
In 1989 Wu Shaoxiang immigrated to Austria, where he continued to blend East and West in his works while attempting to convey more social messages by examining consumerism and the detrimental effects of globalization. Since the 1990's Wu has relied mainly on the use of forms and symbols to convey his message. It is his experimentation with banknotes and coins that represents his artistic breakthrough into mainstream recognition. He used coins to reconstruct Eastern and Western monumental sculpture, such as Venus and the Buddha, and banknotes to make up the bodies of Giacometti-like human figures. Both our public monuments and the currency we exchange in a capital system are accredited value by the consumer (be it the "viewer" or the "buyer"), and are thus bestowed with a conflicting sense of simple aesthetic pleasure versus concrete buying-power. It is this talent to capture conflict and artistic irony within the sculptural medium that has earned Wu Xiaoxiang recognition and acclaim on the international art stage. He has held numerous exhibitions in China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Hong Kong.
Biography
1957 Born in Jiangxi Province, China
1969-78 Was deprived of schooling and sent to work as farmer, brick-layer and rafter
1978-82 Studied sculpture at the Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute, China
1984-86 Pursued postgraduate studies under Professor Zheng Ke, Central Academy of Arts and Design, Beijing, China
Became a key figure in Beijing’s “'85 New Wave” art movement
Awarded the first Beijing Art and Design Scholarship
1987 Elected by Fine Art of China, at the time most important magazine of modern art in China, as one of the ten most influential Chinese Avant-garde Artists
Acquired the Master of Arts, lectured at the Central Academy of Arts & Design, Beijing, China
1988 Solo Sculpture exhibition at National Art Museum of China, Beijing
Placed first sculpture in Europe (the first modern Chinese sculpture to be placed in a public space in Europe)
1989 Participated “Avant-garde” exhibition
Moved to Austria after the “June 4” liberty revolution
Exhibited in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Italy
1991 Produced his first sculpture “Apple” made entirely of coins, which is the first and biggest coin sculpture in the world (Recorded at the Guinness Book Records 1995)
1994-1996 Solo exhibitions in the leading galleries in Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore and Austria
1997-2002 After the cancer treatment he began to write the novel “The Shadow of Sun”, published the book in Vienna by Seifert Publish House
Solo exhibition in New York, United States
2005-2010 Set up a studio in Beijing with Jiang Shuo and exhibited in China again after fifteen years
Wrote the book “Art of Sculpture”, published by China Fine Art Publishing House and used as a teaching book for all Chinese universities
Guest professor in Shanghai Visual Art Institute of Fudan University
2021 Interviewed by Non-Realism Art Institution talking about artistic creation under the influence of the epidemic, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing, China
Present Lives and works in Beijing, China; Berlin, Germany; and Klagenfurt, Austria
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023
- All Colours Could be Beautiful: Joint Exhibiiton with Jiang Shuo, Paragon, Singapore
2022
- All Colours Could be Beautiful, Schütz Art Museum, Engelhartszell, Austria
2017
- Time Meteorite: Wu Shaoxiang Sculpture Works, Art Tianjin, Beijing Park, Tianjin, China
2016
- Wu Shaoxiang's 30 Years of Exploration on the Art of Sculpture, Jiangxi Art Museum, Nanchang, China
2015-16
- Desire Scenery: Wu Shaoxiang's 30 Years of Exploration on the Art of Sculpture, Today Art Museum, Beijing; Art Museum of Tianjin Academy of Fine Art, Tianjin; Jiangxi Art Museum, Nanchang, China
- Invisible Hand, Exhibition with Jiang Shuo, Linda Art Centre, 798 Art Zone, Beijing, China
2014
- Dolls and Masks, National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Red VS Green, Werner Berger Museum, Bleiberg, Austria
- Dolls and Masks, joint with Jiang Shuo, Museum of Contemporary Art, Singapore
- Going For The Money, joined by Jiang Shuo, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong
2013
- Camouflage, Joint Exhibiiton with Jiang Shuo, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong
2012
- Going Forward! Going For Money!, Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei, Taiwan
2011
- This Land so rich in Beauty, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong
- Sculpture from China, Marsvinsholms Skulpturpark, Sweden
2010
- New Age Cadre, White 8 Gallery, Vienna, Austria
- Going Forward! Going for Money!, Joint exhibition with Jiang Shuo, Museum of Contemporary Art, Singapore
- Let’s Talk about Money, Z-Art Centre, Shanghai, China
2009
- Taohua Yuan, 798 Shui Mu Contemporary Art Space, Beijing, China
2008
- Walking Wealth, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong
- Image and Concept, Joint exhibition with Jiang Shuo, National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Paradise Fruits, Art Seasons, Zurich, Switzerland
2007
- Image and Concept, Joint exhibition with Jiang Shuo, Songzhuan Art Centre, Beijing, China
- Image and Concept, 798 Linda Gallery, Beijing, China
2006
- New Age Cadre, Joint exhibition with Jiang Shuo, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong
- Chase, Joint exhibition with Jiang Shuo, Linda Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia; Singapore
2005
- Red Guards, Joint exhibition with Jiang Shuo, Plum Blossoms Gallery, New York, United States
2004
- Words and Images, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong
2003
- Sculptures and Paintings, Schloss Gabelhofen, Fohnsdorf, Austria
2001
- Coining, AAI Gallery, Vienna, Austria
- Wu Shaoxiang and Jiang Shuo, Schloss Wolfsberg, Wolfsberg, Austria
- Coining MoMA, Plum Blossoms Gallery, New York, United States
1999
- Wu Shaoxiang, Gallery Dida, Graz, Austria
- Red Memory, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong
- Sculptures and Paintings, Salzburg Art Fair, Salzburg, Austria
1998
- Wu Shaoxiang, Gallery Daghofer, Leoben, Austria
1997
- Wu Shaoxiang and Jiang Shuo, Gallery Zentrum, Graz, Austria
1996
- Sculptor Wu Shaoxiang, The Rotunda, Exchange Square, Hong Kong
- Wu Shaoxiang: New Works, Gallery Kolly, Graz, Austria
1995
- The Art of Coining, Hanart Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
1994
- Recent Sculptures, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong
1993
- Wu Shaoxiang, Gallery Zentrum, Graz, Austria
- Sculptures and Paintings, Europe House, Klagenfurt, Austria
1992
- Sculptures and Paintings, Gallery Nemenz, Judenberg, Austria
1991
- Sculptures and Paintings, Gallery Akzent K, Stuttgart, Germany
- Sculptures, Gallery d’Art Teroema, Florence, Italy
- Apple, Messe Palast, Vienna, Austria
- Sculptures and Paintings, Gallery Burg Montendorf, Salzburg, Austria
1990
- Sculptures and Paintings, City Hall Gallery, Klagenfurt, Austria
1988
- Dream, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
1987
- Sculptures, Central Academy of Arts and Design, Beijing, China
1985
- Two and Three Dimension, Joint exhibition with Chen Xiaoyu, Central Academy of Fine Art, Beijing, China
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021
- Inaugural exhibition, Sculpture Pavilion, Schutz Art Museum, Engelhartszell, Austria
- Chinese Abstraction, Art Basel Hong Kong, Alisan Fine Arts, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
- Redefining the City with Context • Beyond the Wall: Xi’an Contemporary Art Exhibition 2018, Xi’an Art Museum, Xi’an, China
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Insight: Pingshan International Sculpture Exhibition, Shenzhen, China
-
Money in the Art, Kunst im Traklhaus, Salzburg, Austria
-
Art & Antiquitäten Fair, Palace of Archbishop, Salzburg, Austria
-
Salzburg Art Fair, Palace of Archbishop, Salzburg, Austria
-
Art Stage Singapore, Singapore
2017
- The Power of Ting Hua, Jiu long Yu Art Centre, Shenzhen, China
- Art Stage Singapore, Singapore
- Art Vienna, Leopold Museum, Vienna, Austria
- Salzburg Art Fair, Palace of Archbishop, Salzburg, Austria
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- Art Taipei, Alisan Fine Arts, Taipei World Trade Centre, Taipei, Taiwan
2016
- Art Stage Singapore, Singapore
- Salzburg Art Fair, Palace of Archbishop, Salzburg, Austria
- Art HK, Hong Kong Art Centre, Hong Kong
- Art New York, Pier 94, New York, United States
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- Contemporary Chinese Art, Schulz Art, Vienna, Austria
- 60 Years of Anniversary of Tsing Hua University Art Academy, Art Museum of Tsing Hua University Art Academy, Beijing, China
2015
- Art Stage Singapore, Singapore
- Salzburg Art Fair, Palace of Archbishop, Salzburg, Austria
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- Olympia Art Fair, London, United Kingdom
- Salzburg Arts Festival, Palace of Archbishop, Salzburg, Austria
- 10 Year of MOCA Singapore, MOCA Singapore, Singapore
- The Light of City, Sculpture and Installation Exhibition, Shanghai, China
- 20 Years of Schulz Art, Vienna, Austria
- Art Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
- Spirit Vivid: Contemporary Chinese Art Invitational Exhibition, 14th Asia Arts Festival, Chaozhou,China
- Journey through Art: Invitation Exhibition of Sculpture, Museum of Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, Jingdezhen, China
- Dialogue of Art and Architecture: Contemporary Art Exhibition, Huaxi Financial Centre, Tianjin, China
2014
- Art Stage Singapore, Singapore
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- Art Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
2013
- Art Stage Singapore, Singapore
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- Da Xiang You Xin: Contemporary Chinese Sculpture Today, Songzhuan Art Centre, Beijing, China
- Art Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
2012
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- Shanghai Contemporary, Shanghai Exhibition Hall, Shanghai, China
- Art Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
2011
- Start from The Horizon, Si Shang Art Museum, Beijing, China
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- Art HK, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
- Across History II, G-Dot Art Space, Beijing, China
2010
- International Gallery Fair, World Trade Centre, Beijing, China
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- Art HK, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
- Singapore Art Fair, Singapore
- Shanghai Contemporary, Shanghai Exhibition Hall, Shanghai, China
- Art Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
2009
- Art Santa Fe, Ei Museo Cultural, Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States
- East Meet West, White 8 Gallery, Villach, Austria
- International Gallery Fair, World Trade Centre, Beijing, China
- Vienna Fair, Messe Wien, Vienna, Austria
- Singapore Art Fair, Singapore
2008
- Singapore Art Fair, Singapore
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- International Contemporary Art Fair, Convention and Exhibition Centre, Zurich, Switzerland
2007
- A Fragment of Chinese Avant-garde, TRA Gallery, Beijing, China
- International Gallery Fair, World Trade Centre, Beijing, China
- Singapore Art Fair, Singapore
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
2006
- Hong Kong Art Fair, Hong Kong
- International Biennial of Contemporary Art Austria, Hüttenberg Exhibition Centre, Austria
- Singapore Art Fair, Singapore
2005
- Food For Thought, Islip Art Museum, New York, United States
2002
- 1st International Biennial of Contemporary Art Austria, Hüttenberg Exhibition Centre, Austria
- Sculptures, Elizabeth Weiner Fine Art Gallery, Santa Monica, California, United States
2001
- Art Palm Beach, International Pavilion of Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Florida, United States
- Salon De Mars, Geneva, Switzerland
2000
- 20th Century Art, The Armoury, New York, United States
- New Chinese Art, Goedhuis Contemporary, London, United Kingdom
1999
- International Contemporary Art Fair, Los Angeles, United States
1998
- International Contemporary Art Fair, Palace Degli, Florence, Italy
- Contemporary Austrian Painting, The Rotunda, Exchange Square, Hong Kong
1997-2004
- International Asian Art Fair, The Armoury, New York, United States
1996
- Table for Two, Hanart Gallery; LKF Gallery, Hong Kong
1995
- Art Asia Hong Kong, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
- Budapest Art Expo, Budapest, Hungary
1994
- New Trend Art Hong Kong, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
- Tresor Singapore, World Trade Centre, Singapore
- Art Asia Hong Kong, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
1993
- The Spirit of Times, Gallery Hinteregger, St.Pölten, Austria
1990
- Packaged Art, Bündner Art Museum, Chur, Switzerland
- International Art Exhibition, Stadgarden Gallery, Norden, Germany
1989
- Avant-garde China, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
- New Expressionism in China, China National History Museum, Beijing, China
1988
- 30 Years the Central Academy of Arts & Design, Central Academy of Arts & Design, Beijing, China
1987
- Works of Young Beijing Artist, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
- Contemporary Chinese Fine Art, Toronto Exhibition Hall, Toronto, Canada
- Excellent Chinese Urban Sculptures, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
- Tradition and Modern: New Sculptures, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
1986
- National Sculpture Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Austrian National Bank, Vienna, Austria
Control Bank, Vienna, Austria
Europe Sculpture Park, Klagenfurt, Austria
Karnten State Culture Council, Klagenfurt, Austria
LKH 2000 Sculpture Park, Carinthia State Government, Klagenfurt, Austria
Carinthia State Art Collection, Museum of Modern Art, Klagenfurt, Austria
Klagenfurt City Gallery, Klagenfurt, Austria
State Ice Hockey Hall, Klagenfurt, Austria
Stroh Centre, Klagenfurt, Austria
DAF Aichwalder, Klagenfurt, Austria
Volksbank Karnten Sud, Klagenfurt, Austria
Raiffeisen Lands Bank, Klagenfurt, Austria
RBB Bank, Klagenfurt, Austria
Hypo Landesbank, Klagenfurt, Austria
Ford Sintschnig, Klagenfurt, Austria
Starmann Company, Klagenfurt, Austria
Stroh Centre, Klagenfurt, Austria
Wolkensberg Foundation, Klagenfurt, Austria
Schütz Art Museum, Engelhartzell, Austria
St Veit City Government, St Veit, Austria
Barmherzigen Bruder Hospital, St Veit, Austria
Villa Ried, St Veit, Austria
Treibach Sport Centre, Treibach, Austria
Ortner Collection, Tyrol, Austria
Hardy Collection Museum, Pörtschach, Austria
Köck Villa, Velden, Austria
House Hinteregger, St Pölten, Austria
County Attendant Centre, County Government, Moosburg, Austria
Leoben City Government, Leoben, Austria
Villa Borovnik, Ferlach, Austria
HMZ Foundation, Fohnsdorf, Austria
Schloss Pakein, Grafenstein, Austria
Ebental District Government, Ebenthal, Austria
Wener Burg Museum, Bleiberg, Austria
RBB Bank Spittal, Spittal an der Drau, Austria
Wing On Art Collection, St Paul, De Vance, France
Museum of Lau Young, France
Ritz-Carlton, Berlin, Germany
Björn Borg Collection, Stockholm, Sweden
Schwarzneger Art Collection, Los Angeles, USA
Han Lady Noble Lady Mrs. & Mr Wadsworth Collection, San Francisco, USA
Wadsworth Collection, New York, USA
Crow Art Museum, Dallas, USA
Celebrity Cruises, Miami, USA
Weiner Art Gallery, Santa Monica, USA
Kempinski Hotel, Umag, Croatia
Casino Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Singapore Art Museum, Singapore
Singapore Museum of Contemporary Art, Singapore
Dr W Wu Collection Museum, Singapore
Art and Culture Council, Singapore
Subhashok Art Centre, Bangkok, Thailand
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nusantara, Jakarta, Indonesia
China Association of Letters and Arts, Beijing, China
Minsheng Modern Art Museum, Beijing, China
Guan Fu Art Museum, Beijing, China
Central University of Finance, Beijing, China
Beijing City Government, Beijing, China
Today Art Museum, Beijing, China
Central Academy of Arts and Design, Beijing, China
China Federation of Association Literary and Art Circles, Beijing, China
The See of Knowledge, Central University of Finance, Beijing, China
Beijing International Hotel, Beijing, China
Beijing Silver Tower, Beijing, China
Lanham Place Hotel Shanghai, Shanghai, China
Art Museum of Tianjin Academy of Fine Art, Tianjin, China
Jingdezhen Ceramic University, Jingdezhen, China
Luzhou City Government, Luzhou, China
Revolutionary Memorial Hall, Shijiazhuang, China
Pen Youshan Art Museum, Nanchang, China
Jiangxi Art Museum, Nanchang, China
Meidi Art Collection Museum, Guangdong, China
New World Hotel, Shenzhen, China
Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Hong Kong
New World Centre, Hong Kong
Renaissance Hotel, Hong Kong
Cyber Port Art Club, Hong Kong
Bel-air Fine Arts Club, Hong Kong
Crown Towers, Macau
Art Collection of The City of Dreams, Macau
