Wang Du Contemporary artist, sculptor Date of Birth: 01.01.1956 Country: China

1. Wang Du: A Contemporary Artist and Sculptor
2. Move to Paris and International Recognition
3. Artistic Style and Techniques
4. Notable Installations

Wang Du: A Contemporary Artist and Sculptor

Wang Du is a renowned contemporary artist and sculptor who rose to prominence for his unique approach to manipulating images prevalent in mass media. Born in Wuhan, China, in 1956, he began his artistic journey by studying sculpture at the Canton Academy of Fine Arts from 1981 to 1985.

Early Career in China: Academic Foundations and Institutional Involvement

After graduating, Wang Du worked as a professor of fine arts at the South China University of Technology's Institute of Architecture from 1985 to 1990. During this period, he played an active role in the art community, establishing and serving as president of the Salon of South China Artists from 1986 to 1990.

Move to Paris and International Recognition

In 1990, Wang Du relocated to Paris, where his reputation on the international stage began to take shape. He taught at the Universite Paris VIII and the Brest School of Fine Arts from 1997 to 2000.

Artistic Style and Techniques

Wang Du's artistic practice is characterized by his manipulation of mass-produced images and his ability to transform two-dimensional images into three-dimensional sculptures and installations. He frequently incorporates photographs and printed images into his work, creating pieces such as crumpled paper sculptures or large-scale installations made from photographs.

Notable Installations

One of Wang Du's most notable installations was "Space-Time Tunnel" (2006). This 35-meter-long tunnel, constructed from newspapers, magazines, and 66 television screens, allowed visitors to walk through it during his solo exhibition in Gateshead.

In 2008, Wang Du created "International Kebab" for his exhibition in China. This installation consisted of a nine-meter-tall paper tower resembling a giant döner kebab. The artwork was assembled from thousands of photographs taken by Wang Du during his travels in China, which were printed and enlarged to poster size and stacked like slices of meat on a kebab. Visitors were invited to climb onto scaffolding around "International Kebab" and cut pieces of the artwork using provided knives.