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Faces and Bodies of the Middle Kingdom: Contemporary Chinese Art Exhibition at Galerie Rudolfinum

Discover a historic avant-garde showcase featuring portraiture and figurative works from nineteen prominent artists.

Galerie Rudolfinum presented a groundbreaking collection of eighty-seven works by nineteen influential artists. Organised in collaboration with international galleries, this 1997 project focused on the conceptual significance of the human face and body. Visitors can discover how the modern Chinese visual language emerged through the pioneering creations of the 1990s avant-garde movement.

About Faces and Bodies of the Middle Kingdom at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Faces and Bodies of the Middle Kingdom at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Exhibition summary

Faces and Bodies of the Middle Kingdom was the first representative exhibition of contemporary Chinese art at Galerie Rudolfinum. It showcased a collection of 87 works by 19 prominent artists from the Chinese art avant-garde of the 1990s, focusing on the portrayal of the human body and face.

Curatorial context

This exhibition served as a pivotal showcase for contemporary Chinese art in the Czech Republic, presenting a curated selection of works that defined the Chinese avant-garde movement of the 1990s. By centering on the thematic exploration of the human face and body, the exhibition highlighted the emergence of these concepts as dominant creative forces within the period's artistic discourse. The display featured 87 distinct pieces by 19 influential artists, offering viewers a comprehensive look at the evolution of modern Chinese visual language. The project was realized by Galerie Rudolfinum in collaboration with Hanart TZ Gallery in Hong Kong and Red Gate Gallery in Beijing. The exhibition provided significant international visibility for the participating artists, cementing its status as an essential cultural exchange. Curators Ladislav Kesner and Petr Nedoma framed the exhibition as a critical encounter with the shifting values and aesthetic preoccupations of 1990s China, marking a historic moment for the gallery's programming.

Admission and ticket notes

The exhibition history indicates that during its original run, Galerie Rudolfinum operated with voluntary admission fees. For current institutional policies, visitors are encouraged to consult the gallery's official website for updated ticketing and visiting information before arrival, noting that the gallery is closed on Mondays and maintains daily hours from Tuesday to Sunday, with late openings on Thursdays until 8:00 PM.

Faces and Bodies of the Middle Kingdom key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Faces and Bodies of the Middle Kingdom at Galerie Rudolfinum in Prague

Venue
Galerie Rudolfinum
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
From Mar 13, 1997
Artist line / attribution
The exhibition featured 19 artists, including Wang Guangyi, Li Shan, Yu Youhan, Wang Ziwei, Liu Wei, Guo Jin, Zhang Xiaogang, Zhao Shaoru, Mao Lizi, Qiu Zhijie, Zheng Zaidong, Feng Mengbo, Hong Hao, Song Yonghong, Wei Rong, He Duoling, Wang Youshen, Zhou Dirong, and Su Xinping. It was curated by Ladislav Kesner and Petr Nedoma.
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