Lu Yang, The Great Adventure of Material World #1, 2019. Digital print, on archival paper mounted to aluminium. Image courtesy of the artist.

PHOTOFAIR Shanghai 2019: Taking the Leap

Taking the Leap download brochure.

Last week (19 – 22 September 2019) 14 works from the University Art Collection were presented at PHOTOFAIR Shanghai.  The exhibition Taking the Leap was curated by internationally respected curator Ying Kwok (Hong Kong) and included the launch of our latest commission The Great Adventure of Material World #1  – a unique print by celebrated multimedia artist Lu Yang (Shanghai).  This new work was used to create a memorable entrance to the Fair and both were social media sensations.

The PHOTOFAIR Shanghai provided a unique opportunity to showcase our innovative work with artists and with partners across the UK, particularly in relation to our work with Chinese contemporary artists and artists working with the digital.  Over the four days we engaged with numerous artists, academics, curators, collectors, museums and galleries from across the globe as well as local audiences, alumni and potential students.  This included: a packed out ‘in conversation’ event with Ying Kwok, Lindsay Taylor, Lu Yang, Sarah Fisher (Open Eye Gallery) and Wu Chi-Tsung (artist from the collection); being selected as one of the top 4 exhibitions in the PHOTOFAIR by Timeout Shanghai; a positive review in the Art Newspaper China and Luke Ching’s work chosen as a highlight by Karen Smith, Artistic Director of Shanghai Centre of Photography.

Artists displayed were:

Cao Fei, Simon Faithfull, Luke Ching, Mishka Henner, Lu Yang, Lizzie King and Craig Tattersall, Sun Xun, Thomson & Craighead and Liam Young.