Jiang Shuo
Introduction
Jiang Shuo is a Chinese-born international sculptor who works between her studios in Beijing, China; Berlin, Germany; and Klagenfurt, Austria. Her early bronzes had a folk-like quality hinting at blissful childhood memories and strong family values. In later life, she turned to more serious topics, such as commercialization and the Cultural Revolution, depicted most notably in her series Red Guards.
Jiang Shuo was among the first women to study sculpture at the Central Academy of Arts & Design (now the Academy of Fine Arts, Tsinghua University), Beijing. She subsequently pursued postgraduate studies under Professor Zheng Ke at the Central Academy of Arts & Design, Beijing, where she was appointed as a lecturer in 1986. After winning a scholarship to a university in Austria in 1989, she emmigrated with her sculptor husband, Wu Shaoxiang to Klagenfurt, where they established a joint studio and joined the Austrian Artist Association.
Since gaining Austrian citizenship in 2003, Jiang returned to China where she witnessed how dramatically Chinese cultural norms had changed since her days as a young member of the Red Guard in the Cultural Revolution. In a series of this same title, anonymous open-mouthed soldiers participate in various and often humorous modern-day activities such as karaoke and eating fast food, probing the viewer to consider materialism, the rise of the bourgeois, and the growth of the capitalistic machine within the context of Chinese history.
Jiang has widely exhibited her sculptures around the world, including Austria, Indonesia, Singapore, and Switzerland, and her works are included in several major private and museum collections.
BIOGRAPHY
1958 Born in Beijing, China
1978-82 Studied sculpture at the Central Academy of Arts & Design (now the Academy of Fine Arts, Tsinghua University), Beijing, China
1982-85 Pursued postgraduate studies under Professor Zheng Ke at the Central Academy of Arts & Design, Beijing, China
1987 Appointed as lecturer at the Central Academy of Arts & Design, Beijing, China
1989 Moved to Austria, set up studio and joined the Austrian Artist Association
1993 Acquired Austrian citizenship
1997-98 Built new studio and gallery with Wu Shaoxiang in Klagenfurt, Austria
2006 Set up studio in Beijing, China
2012 Set up studio in Berlin, Germany; live and work between Beijing, Berlin and Austria
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2023
- All Colours Can Be Beautiful, Joint Exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Paragon, Singapore
2017
- Art Stage Jakarta, Jakarta, Indonesia
2015
- Invisible Hand, Joint exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Linda Art Centre, Beijing, China
2014
- Red VS Green, Joint exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Werner Berger Museum, Bleiberg, Austria
- Dolls and Masks, Joint exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Indonesia National Museum, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Dolls and Masks, Joint exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Museum of Contemporary Art, Singapore
2012
- Going For Money, Joint exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Museum of Contemporary Art Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan
2010
- Image and Concept, Joint exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Museum of Contemporary Art, Singapore
- Sculpture from China, Joint exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Marsvinsholms Skulpturpark, Sweden
2009
- Today’s Red Guards, Solo Exhibition, White8 Gallery, Vienna, Austria
2008
- Image and Concept, Joint exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Indonesia National Museum, Jakarta, Indonesia
- Paradise Fruits, Joint exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Art Seasons Lake Zurich Gallery, Switzerland
2007
- Image and Concept, Joint exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Song Zhuang Art Centre, Beijing, China
2001
- Sculpting, AAI Gallery, Vienna, Austria
- Joint exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Schloss Wolfsberg, Wolfsberg, Austria
1999
- Joint Exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Gallery Dida, Graz, Austria
1998
- Solo Exhibition, City Hall, St. Veit, Austria
1997
- Solo Exhibition, Central Gallery, Graz, Austria
1996
- Joint Exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Gallery Dida, Graz, Austria
1993
- Solo Exhibition, Europe House, Klagenfurt, Austria
1992
- Joint Exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Gallery Nemenz, Judenberg, Austria
1991
- Joint Exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Gallery Akzent K, Stuttgart, Germany
- Joint Exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Raiffeisen Bank, Klagenfurt, Austria
1985
- Solo Exhibition, Central Academy of Arts & Design, Beijing, China
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2021
- Inaugural exhibition, Sculpture Pavilion, Schutz Art Museum, Engelhartszell, Austria
2018
2017
- Art Taipei, Alisan Fine Arts, Taipei International Convention Centre, Taipei, Taiwan
- Art Vienna, Leopold Museum, Vienna, Austria
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- Salzburg Art and Antique Fair, Palace of Archbishop, Salzburg, Austria
2016
- Art Hong Kong, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- Salzburg Art and Antique, Palace of Archbishop, Salzburg, Austria
- Art New York, Pier 94, New York, USA
- 60 Years of Anniversary of Tsing Hua University Art Academy, Art Museum of Tsing Hua University Art Academy, Beijing, China
2015
- Salzburg Art Fair, Palace of Archbishop, Salzburg, Austria
- Art Stage Singapore, Singapore
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- 10 Years of MOCA Singapore, MOCA Singapore, Singapore
- The Light of City - Sculpture and Installation Exhibition, Shanghai, China
- 20 Years of Schuetz Art, Vienna, Austria
- Art Taipei, Taipei International Convention Centre, Taipei, Taiwan
2014
- Art Stage Singapore, Singapore
- Art Taipei, Linda Gallery, Taipei International Convention Centre, Taipei, Taiwan
- Art Beijing, Linda Gallery, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
2013
- Art Taipei, Taipei International Convention Centre, Taipei, Taiwan
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- Song Zhuang Art Festival Sculpture Exhibition, Song Zhuang Art Centre, Beijing, China
2012
- Across History II – Invitation of Chinese Contemporary Art Exhibition, G-Dot Art Space, Beijing, China
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- Art Taipei, Taipei International Convention Centre, Taipei, Taiwan
2011
- ART HK, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- Art Taipei, Taipei International Convention Centre, Taipei, Taiwan
- SH Contemporary, Shanghai Exhibition Centre, Shanghai, China
2010
- China International Gallery Exposition, China World Trade Centre, Beijing, China
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- Greating with Their Heart and Blood, Linda Art Centre, Beijing, China
- ART HK, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong
- ART Singapore, SUNTEC Singapore, Singapore
- SH Contemporary, Shanghai Exhibition Centre, Shanghai, China
- Art Taipei, Taipei International Convention Centre, Taipei, Taiwan
2009
- East Meets West, White8 Gallery, Villach, Austria
- ViennaFair, White8 Gallery, Messe Wien, Vienna, Austria
- China International Gallery Exposition, China World Trade Centre, Beijing, China
- ART Santa Fe, El Museo Cultural de Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
- ART Singapore, SUNTEC Singapore, Singapore
2008
- Asian Contemporary Art Fair, Pier 92, New York, USA
- Art Taipei, Taipei International Convention Centre, Taipei, Taiwan
- Art Beijing, Agriculture Exhibition Hall, Beijing, China
- ART Singapore, SUNTEC Singapore, Singapore
- Art International Zurich, Art Seasons Lake Zurich Gallery, Zurich, Switzerland
2007
- China International Gallery Exposition, China World Trade Centre, Beijing, China
- ART Singapore, SUNTEC Singapore, Singapore
2006
- China International Gallery Exposition, China World Trade Centre, Beijing, China
- ART Singapore, SUNTEC Singapore, Singapore
- 2nd International Biennial of Contemporary Art Austria, Hüttenberg Exhibition Centre, Austria
2004
- International Asian Art Fair, the Seventh Regiment Armory, New York, USA
2003
- International Asian Art Fair, the Seventh Regiment Armoury, New York, USA
2002
- 1st International Biennial of Contemporary Art Austria, Hüttenberg Exhibition Centre, Austria
2000
- Hundred Years of Chinese Art, China Guardian Auctions, Beijing, China
1999
- Salzburg Art Fair, Salzburg, Austria
1998
- International Contemporary Art Fair, Palace Degli Affari, Florence, Italy
1995
- Group Exhibition, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hong Kong
1994
- Exhibition by the Austrian Art Association, City Gallery, Klagenfurt, Austria
1992
- Joint Exhibition with Wu Shaoxiang, Gallery Nemenz, Judenberg, Austria
- The Spirit of Times, Gallery Hinteregger, St. Pölten, Austria
1990
- International Art Exhibition, Stadtgarten Gallery, Norden, Germany
- Group Exhibition, International Art Centre, Velden, Austria
1988
- China National Exhibition of Fine Arts, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
1987
- Today's Fine Arts in China, Toronto Exhibition Hall, Canada
- Traditional and Modern Sculptures, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
1986
- Photo Exhibition of Prize-Winning Sculptures, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
1984
- 1st National Urban Sculpture Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
1982
- Central Academy of Arts & Design Exhibition, National Art Museum of China, Beijing, China
SELECTED COLLECTIONS
Werner Berger Museum, Bleiberg, Austria
St Margareten City, Austria
Kärntner Landes Versicherung, Austria
Castle Pakein
County Attendant Centre, Moosburg, Austria
Evolution Club, Ferlach, Austria
Köck Villa, Velden, Austria
Swiss Bank
Copelouzos Art Museum, Athens, Greece
Hai Cheng Art Museum, China
Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China
Mi Yun Power Supply Bureau, Beijing, China
Binghe Garden, Beijing, China
Qiaotou Square, Luzhou, China
Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong
MTR Corporation Limited, Hong Kong
Langham Place Hotel, Hong Kong
New World Development Company Limited, Hong Kong
SELECTED COMMISSIONS
2015 Great Jump, Werner Berger Museum, Bleiberg, Austria
2012 Narcissus, Art Collection of Castle Pakein
2011 Dancing, Copelouzos Art Museum, Athens, Greece
2010 Advance, Si Yuan Tang Art Collection, Hong Kong
2009 Bauhinia Rider, MTR Corporation Limited, Hong Kong
2007 Cat Rider, Hai Cheng Art Museum, China
2006 Lion Rider, Hong Kong Museum of Art
Red Guards – Love, Red Guard – Relaxation, The Art Collection of Swiss Bank
Paradise Bird, Art Collection of Castle Pakein
2005 Red Guards – Red Ocean, Red Guard – On the Sea of Business 2, Hong Kong Museum of Art
2004 Red Guards- Going Forward! Making Money!, Langham Place Hotel, Hong Kong
2000 Christ, St Margareten City, Austria
1996 Ancient Vase, New World Development Company Limited, Hong Kong
Enjoyable Life, collaboration with Wu Shaoxiang, County Attendant Centre, Moosburg, Austria
1995 Skulptur für Kärntner Landes Versicherung, Austria
1993 Designed trophies for the Evolution Club, Ferlach, Austria
1992 Hand (Fountain), collaboration with Wu Shaoxiang, Köck Villa, Velden, Austria
1991 Designed trophies for “Advertising Award 1991”, Antenne Austria, Austria
1989 Designed award trophies for The Chinese Film Festival, Beijing, China
Fisherman, Mi Yun Power Supply Bureau, Beijing, China
1988 Designed trophies for “Top Ten Outstanding Entrepreneurs in China”
1987 Summer was named as one of the best city sculptures in China
Spirit of the Drunken City, 10-Meters high, Qiaotou Square, Luzhou, China
1984 Designed Film Award trophies for Ministry of Culture, People's Republic of China
Summer, Binghe Garden, Beijing, China
The Sea of Knowledge, The Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, China
1983 Designed Film Award trophies for Ministry of Culture, China
1982 Designed Film Award trophies for Ministry of Culture, China
MAJOR PUBLICATIONS
2015 Invisible Hand, Linda Art Centre Beijing, 798, China
2014 Wu Shaoxiang und Jiang Shuo, Indonesia National Museum and Linda Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
2013 Camouflage, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong
2012 Going for Money, Museum of Contemporary Art Taiwan
2011 Red Cat, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong
2010 Jiang Shuo & Wu Shaoxiang, MOCA Singapore
2009 Cloud Riders, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong
2008 Jiang Shuo and Wu Shaoxiang, Indonesia National Museum and Linda Gallery, Jakarta, Indonesia
Fruits of Paradise, Art Seasons Lake Zurich Gallery, Switzerland
2007 The Monument of Time, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong
Image and Concept, Song Zhuang Art Centre Beijing, China
2006 Chase, Linda Gallery, Singapore, and Indonesia
2005 Red Guards Today, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong, and New York, USA
2003 Red Guards, Plum Blossoms Gallery, Hong Kong, and New York, USA
2000 Jiang Shuo Sculpture, People's Fine Arts Publishing House, Beijing, China
1991 Selected Works by Jiang Shuo, Bauer Publishing House, Austria
1989 Sculpture, People's Liberation Army Publishing House, Beijing, China
1987 Sculpting Skills, People's Fine Arts Publishing House, Beijing, China
