Magic of the mundane

Born in the 1980s, Ma Qiusha is an up-and-coming artist living in Beijing. For her first UK solo exhibition with the Chinese Arts Center, she will be showcasing her key works. Ma Qiusha's work reflects a special sensitivity with everyday objects and materials.

Carefully, she re-stages them in an unfamiliar environment to tell a story or express suppressed emotions. Mainly done with video and painting, at first glance her work is calm and expressionless. Only if you spend a certain amount of time with the work, the underlying story and emotion will reveal itself.

Ma Qiusha graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts (BA) and the Alfred University (MFA). Her works have been widely exhibited nationally and internationally. In 2009 she had a solo exhibition in Beijing Commune and received widespread attention. Important group shows include Soft Machines (2011) at The Pace Gallery, New York, Media Landscape-Zone East (2010) at Contemporary Urban Centre, Liverpool Biennial, and Move on Asia 2010 at Loop Gallery, South Korea.

Date: Jan 25-March 2

Venue: Chinese Arts Center, Market Buildings, Thomas Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester

Website: www.chinese-arts-centre.org

(China Daily 01/25/2013 page31)