Wu Shaoxiang

1957, Yujiang Jiangxi China

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 ShuoParagon, 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  

2018

2017  

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