Golden Horizon [Exhibition]

This Exhibition by Yu Hong, took place from September 13 to September 24, 2011 at the Shanghai Art Museum. This exhibition followed her two most well known ones "In and Out of Time" (Guangdong Museum of Fine Art, 2009) and "Golden Sky" (Ullens Center for Contemporary Art, 2010). "Golden Horizon" is composed of 29 paintings divided into 3 sections. These pieces preserve those fleeting moments of affection in her day to day life on her gold foiled canvases. 

First Section: The two main works are "Ladder to the Sky" (2008) and Romance of Spring (2008). Ladder to the Sky is a 6 meter high painting related to the divine ascension, but Yu Hong features ordinary people instead. Romance of the Spring, spans 12 meters and is influenced by the classical Chinese Dynasty painting "The Court Ladies preparing New Woven Silk". She depicts each figure with individual strength and spirit. 

"Ladder to the Sky" (2008)

"Romance of Spring" (2008)

Second Section: This section consists of four major frescoes paintings including "Atrium" (2010), "Questions for Heaven" (2010), "Natural Selection" (2010) and "Sky Curtain". These paintings are influenced by the italian fresco paintings depicting the triumphs of Hercules, a Buddhists cave painting in Dunhuang's Mogao Grottoes, a small etching by Francisco Goya and a cave painting in Kizil, Xinjiang. The paintings are displayed on the ceiling as a way to stay true to the italian ceiling fresco paintings, giving the viewer a change in perspective while viewing each piece. 

"Natural Selection" (2010) 

"Atrium" (2010) 

"Questions for Heaven" (2010) 

Third Section: This section is made up of brand new paintings. The central piece if Yu Hong's most ambitious work to date, taking form of a classical Catholic altar painting, but making a central point in the social, cultural and political situations of China now. The exhibition also includes three new series, Spontaneous Motion, Westling, and a body of paintings from various snapshots of contemporary lives, such as Silence and Balance. They portray realistic representations of everyday experiences and focus on the younger generation and how they maintain a balance between tradition and social expectations. 

"Silence is Gold" (2011)

"Jump Rope Series" (2011)

"Wrestling" (2011)

Witness Gallery [Exhibition]

Another one of Hong's more well known series is the Witness gallery, consisting of 7 pieces where she utilized family photographs to record her and her daughter's growth. All of these showcase her amazing technique in pastels and capture some simple everyday moments with a beautiful portrayal of expression and body language. 

"Yu Hong 21 years old" (2002)
pastel on paper
37 3/8" x 28 3/8"

"Yu Hong 6 years old" (2002) 
pastel on paper
37 3/8" x 28 3/8"

"Liu Wa 1 year old" (2002) 
pastel on paper
37 3/8" x 28 3/8"

"Liu Wa 3 years old" (2002) 
pastel on paper
37 3/8" x 28 3/8"

"Liu Wa 7 years old" (2002) 
pastel on paper
37 3/8" x 28 3/8"

"Yu Hong 10 years old" (2002) 
pastel on paper
37 3/8" x 28 3/8"

"Yu Hong 9 years old" (2002) 
pastel on paper
37 3/8" x 28 3/8"

The Days [Movie]

"The Days" is a film featuring Yu Hong. This black and white film follows the life of Dong (Liu Xiaodong, an actor and artist) and Chun (Yu Hong) as they graduate from Beijing Art Institute and marry. Living meagerly, hoping to make enough money off their works to sustain themselves, it soon appears that the marriage is not meant to last, but the two artist deluded in their own worlds refuse to acknowledge this till the end. 

In and Out of Time [Exhibition]

In April 24, 2010, Beijin, China. Yu Hong, one of the most celebrated contemporary female artists presented her works at the Opposite House in Beijing, selected from a few of her recent solo shows at Guangdong Museum of Fine Arts. Her works are on her experience as a woman, taking inspiration from her life and those around her. The works are in resin, where faces of familiar people are painted on silk and carefully embedded within the sheets of resin. Each transparent plaque shimmers under the light, reflecting the luminosity and making it seem like its capturing a frozen moment in time. 

Whitewall [Video]

A short little monologue from Yu Hong on her life, experiences, inspirations and art. 

Yu Hong Routine Series [Exhibition]

The Routine Exhibition is made up of two sets of new works including 6 oil paintings on canvas initiating a new series named Routine, and another set of 15 works on paper where she gives us insight on her life and her daughter's. The series features everyday moments and activities such as shopping at the mart, swimming, and having a good time with friends. These beautiful works of art, rendered in such artistic brushwork makes the viewer pause and appreciate moments like these. It gives a sense of nostalgia to those who've experienced similar things, which is mostly everyone. It makes people recognize how valuable each moment we live in is, how our routine activities fill out our days and makes them what they are, wether in China or America.

"Me in Bed" (2003)
Acrylic on Canvas
70" x 59 7/8"

"Me at Party" (2003) 
Acrylic on Canvas 
70" x 59 7/8"

"Food Shopping" (2003) 
Acrylic on Canvas 
70" x 59 7/8"

"Food Shopping" (2002) 
Acrylic on Canvas 
70" x 59 7/8"

"Me in Water" (2003) 
Acrylic on Canvas 
70" x 59 7/8"

"Undressing" (2002) 
Acrylic on Canvas 
70" x 59 7/8"

Reflections on Life [Video]

This is a short video by Thomas Rhazi, capturing Yu Hong's heart and how she draws inspiration on the frenetic rush of her motherland, China.