Whitestone Gallery Beijing is honored to present the solo exhibition of artist Yang Yongliang, titledVanishing Mountains. This exhibition will showcase the artist's latest oil paintings as well as digital image works created during the same period, revealing a subtle connection and dialogue between the artist's emotional and rational creation.
YANG YONGLIANG: Vanishing Mountains
Beijing
2025.02.15 - 03.22
Yang Yongliang started experimenting with contemporary art in 2005, exploring the use of various mediums such as photography, painting, video, and installation. He is known for using architectural images as brushstrokes and his depiction of layers of mountains with enriched details that draw a faithful reference to Song Dynasty’s landscape painting. Growing up immersed in traditional Chinese painting, painting has always been an indispensable part of Yang Yongliang's artistic career. Beyond the medium he uses, his creative themes are deeply rooted in the spirituality of traditional Chinese painting and his continuous exploration of contemporary expression.
In his early works, the artist focused on black-and-white and monochrome landscapes, expanding on the experimental use of cement in painting. As his life and experiences evolved, his works gradually showed a shift in color starting from 2020. The oil paintings featured in this exhibition represent a relatively complete expression and attempt at innovation. His long-time living in New York has brought new inspiration and stimulation to his art. Half of himself is influenced by Western art history and the shock brought by the city of New York, while the other half remains the unknowing and fearless landscape painting apprentice from the ancient streets of Jiading County on the outskirts of Shanghai. He continues to explore how to preserve the core of traditional aesthetics while innovating in form and medium. TheVanishing Mountainsseries of paintings reflect Yang Yongliang’s relentless attempts and profound reflections on reviving Chinese landscape painting.
The digital landscape artworks displayed in the exhibition come from 2024 Parallel Metropolis series and the 2021 Imagined Landscape series. Using his unique perspective rooted in native culture, the artist reimagines the collision and fresh imagery of Eastern and Western art and culture through the form of ‘digital landscapes’.
For Yang Yongliang, digital image has always been a more rational form of creation, while painting serves as an emotional outlet. Beyond the medium and form, the theme of recreating landscapes is a strong and pioneering perspective the artist feels within a cross-cultural context, transcending time and space.
ABOUT
YANG YONGLIANG
YANG YONGLIANG
Born in Shanghai, Yang Yongliang graduated from the China Academy of Art in 2003 with a major in Visual Communication. In 2005, he began experimenting with contemporary art, exploring various mediums such as photography, painting, video and installation.
Yang creates a dynamic fusion of tradition and contemporary elements, blending ancient oriental aesthetics and literati beliefs with modern language and digital techniques. His artwork presents an expansive meta-narrative that draws inspiration from history, myth, and social culture, all unfolding within the context of the ever-changing urban landscapes. For example, Yang is known for using architectural images as brushstrokes and skilfully portraying intricately detailed mountain rocks, paying homage to the landscape painting traditions of the Song Dynasty. While urban development brings prosperity to city life, it also serves as metaphorical confinement for many individuals. Similarly, he acknowledges the profoundness of centuries-old cultural traditions while questioning their tendency towards stagnation.
In contrast to ancient Chinese art’s celebration of nature, Yang’s art prompts critical reflection on our current reality. Furthermore, his work combines a strong sense of post-modernism with traditional aesthetics. Noteworthy institutions such as the British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art have collected his works. The artist currently resides in Shanghai and New York.
Yang creates a dynamic fusion of tradition and contemporary elements, blending ancient oriental aesthetics and literati beliefs with modern language and digital techniques. His artwork presents an expansive meta-narrative that draws inspiration from history, myth, and social culture, all unfolding within the context of the ever-changing urban landscapes. For example, Yang is known for using architectural images as brushstrokes and skilfully portraying intricately detailed mountain rocks, paying homage to the landscape painting traditions of the Song Dynasty. While urban development brings prosperity to city life, it also serves as metaphorical confinement for many individuals. Similarly, he acknowledges the profoundness of centuries-old cultural traditions while questioning their tendency towards stagnation.
In contrast to ancient Chinese art’s celebration of nature, Yang’s art prompts critical reflection on our current reality. Furthermore, his work combines a strong sense of post-modernism with traditional aesthetics. Noteworthy institutions such as the British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art have collected his works. The artist currently resides in Shanghai and New York.
YANG YONGLIANG: Vanishing Mountains
2025.02.15 - 03.22
Opening Reception
2025.02.15 (Sat) 15:00 - 17:00
*Artist will be present
2025.02.15 - 03.22
Opening Reception
2025.02.15 (Sat) 15:00 - 17:00
*Artist will be present
BEIJING
Sevenstar Street (E.), 798 Art District, No.4 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100015, China
Tel: +86 10 59920796
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 18:00
Closed: Sunday, Monday
Tel: +86 10 59920796
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 18:00
Closed: Sunday, Monday