Chinese-German neo-Expressionist Yang Qi has become the latest member to the North Bund international artist residency program, bringing his installation work and fresh interpretation of the ancient Chinese classic Shan Hai Jing (The Classics of Mountains and Seas) to Shanghai.
During the launch ceremony, the artist unveiled Roaming Shanghai, a sculptural installation created specifically for the North Bund. The piece features a human figure sheltered beneath an umbrella while standing on an island, which is a symbolic representation of Shanghai itself.
Project's chief curator Shi Yunqi emphasized the strategic importance of the North Bund location in Hongkou district, describing it as "both the vanguard of urban development and a spiritual highland where Eastern and Western cultures converge". Shi explained that the program seeks to engage prominent international artists to create works that offer global perspectives while capturing Shanghai's distinctive essence.
"Hongkou district has long possessed a rich cultural heritage," noted Wang Jiawei, deputy director of the district's publicity department. "This residency program marks a crucial initiative in our ongoing efforts to foster cross-cultural dialogue and elevate the district's status as a hub for artistic innovation."
Reflecting on the interplay between artistic creation and urban development, Yang observed that cultural enrichment grows increasingly vital as material prosperity advances.
"The North Bund's historical foundations and contemporary landscape, combined with its unique fusion of Eastern and Western influences, provide exceptional creative inspiration," he noted.
During his residency, the artist plans to create a new collection informed by Eastern Zen philosophy and romantic expressionism, incorporating distinctive cultural elements from the North Bund area.
