The Opposite House Showcases Wang Shugang’s Bronze Figure Sculptures

 

(Beijing, January 12, 2011) - RedBox Studio, in partnership with Alexander Ochs Galleries Berlin?Beijing, presents an installation of figure sculptures by Wang Shugang at the atrium of The Opposite House.  In addition to the hotel’s permanent collection of unique pieces by noted Asian artists, Wang Shugang’s exhibition is part of The Opposite House’s on-going quarterly presentations of contemporary Chinese works by young artists. Wang is an accomplished Beijing-based artist who returned to China in 2000 after developing his career for over a decade in Germany. 

As a graduate of the prestigious Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, Wang demonstrates an exceptional command of the traditional medium in his sculptures, combining the figuration of 20th century realism with Buddhist iconography and scenes of daily life in China. His signature motif is to present groups of anonymous figures that comment on the essential relationship of the individual to the society around him, expressed through such seemingly ordinary actions as the monk sweeping the floor, the meditating lama, the standing Qi Gong layman and the squatting bald man. The conflict between tradition and modernity and the palpable loss of history and culture in the midst of rapid urbanization and artificial mass production often result in themes of nostalgia and reflection for Wang and his contemporaries. His figurative work, strengthened when viewed en masse, displays a rich expression of the sense of community and when displayed in an urban landscape, provides a playful reflection on the quiet moments of daily life in China.

“Wang Shugang is one of the few contemporary Chinese sculptors who successfully captures an expression of the everyday in China with a playful approach to the mundane, and his works extend past the art world to encompass living Chinese history,” says Katherine Don, director of RedBox Studio.

In 2008, The Opposite House began its collaboration with contemporary Chinese art galleries in Beijing, showcasing the works of up and coming young artists as well as established pioneers of the contemporary Chinese art scene. The six-storey high atrium exhibition space serves as a platform to share and increase interaction between people and art.

“These stout bronze figures give our space a different dynamic, adding a cheeky element with the placement of old Beijing characters in our sleek contemporary space, in a way representative of how post-Olympics Beijing has evolved,” says Anthony Ross, general manager of The Opposite House.

Founders Katherine Don and George Chang, both former New York gallery directors, have been actively involved in the promotion of contemporary art for over ten years in Beijing and New York. Past curatorial projects include Peng Wei’s painting installation at The Opposite House, in 2010 and introductions of artists to the West that included Xu Lei, Zhu Wei, Ji Dachun, and Qiu Xiaofei. They recently curated the first international exhibition of the Columbia University Neiman Print Studies Center collection at the Today Art Museum, Beijing, which included works by artists Kara Walker, Kiki Smith and William Kentridge.

ALEXANDER OCHS GALLERIES BERLIN?BEIJING

The gallery was founded 1997 in Berlin-Mitte with a special focus on Asian, mostly Chinese contemporary art. Since 2008, the gallery represents international European artists in exhibitions and external projects. After having held galleries in Shanghai (2002/2003) and 798 Beijing (2004-2008), Ochs opened a new space in May 2009 in Caochangdi Art District, which has 1000 m2 large exhibition space. Ochs also started an artist-in-residence program in a separate studio house in Caochangdi. The studio is available for the European artists in connection with their solo exhibitions.

About Swire Hotels

Swire Hotels has been created to manage intriguing urban hotels in Hong Kong, Mainland China and the United Kingdom, providing a characterful experience for travelers who seek individuality, style and personalized service.

The Opposite House, Beijing, opened in 2008 and was followed by The Upper House, above Pacific Place, Hong Kong, in October 2009.

Swire Hotels opened a 345-room lifestyle business hotel called EAST, Hong Kong in Hong Kong’s Island East, on January 25, 2010. EAST, Beijing with 369 rooms, located within INDIGO in Jiangtai, will open in 2012.

Swire Hotels is creating a new collection of locally inspired and stylish hotels in the heart of great English towns and cities called Chapter Hotels. The first hotel in the collection, the Montpellier Chapter, launched in late 2010 in Cheltenham.

About The Opposite House

The Opposite House is located in Sanlitun Village—a vibrant new open-plan shopping, dining and entertainment destination developed by Swire Properties. The hotel’s 99 guest studios include nine spacious suites and a penthouse duplex with a 2600 square foot roof terrace. More than half of all the studios are over 750 square feet and all are strikingly simple with natural wooden floors and subtle touches of Chinese décor.

Sanlitun Village, located at the junction of the Worker’s Stadium North Road and Sanlitun Road in Chaoyang District, Beijing, comprising two sites with a total site area of approximately over 566,000 sq ft, and a total floor area of approximately 1.47 million sq ft* spreading over 19 buildings, including a 99-room intriguing urban hotel, The Opposite House.

Built around the bustling hutongs of Sanlitun, taking inspiration from the courtyards and  alleyways of Beijing's past and mixing it with its more worldly cosmopolitan present, the development will include over 200 shops, plus cafes, restaurants and bars, an eight-screen MEGABOX cinema, a unique cultural entertainment space and parking for more than 800 cars. For more details, please go to our official website: www.sanlitunvillage.com

The retail portions of Sanlitun Village are jointly owned by Swire Properties and Gateway China Fund I, with Swire Properties holding an 80% stake and Gateway China Fund I taking the remaining 20%, while the hotel is wholly-owned by Swire Properties.