Biography
© Andrea Benedetti
© Andrea Benedetti

"Harmony co-exists with conflict, absurdity goes with truth. I want to express the worrying reality, while you are fascinated by the appearance."

SX

Born in 1969 in the province of Liaoning, China. After graduating in 1990 at the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts in Shenyang, he began his career as a full-time artist. Only ten years later, Shi Xinning began to produce those that later became his masterpieces: Mao's portraits. He currently lives and works in Beijing.
 
Trained in China, Shi Xinning’s art is influenced by both social realism and European styles. He investigates dynamics of both the west’s Eurocentric and China’s isolationist past world views, humorously illustrating icons and visual themes from the Chinese cultural revolution, particularly Mao Zedong. His insertion of Mao into the fabric of western collective conscience seems entirely plausible. Infusing the totems of propaganda currency with a sense of normality and humility, Shi Xinning's work is done in black and white, with some sepia tones. This choice, along with his reproduction of famous press photographs from history, helps establish his "photographic" or "newspaper" style.
Exhibitions
Solo & Group Show
Shi Xinning

Shi Xinning CV

Born in 1969 in Liaoning (China).

 

EXHIBITIONS

Solo show

2015 
Modern Times, Primae Noctis Art Gallery, Lugano, CH

2013 
Idea or Event, Primo Marella Gallery, Milano, IT

2012 
The Virtual Placement of Truth, White Box Museum of Art, Pechino, CN

2009 
Tale of the Two Cities, Arndt and Partner, Berlino, DE

2008 
Shi Xinning Solo Show, Arndt and Partner, Zurich, CH            
Shi Xinning Works, SHINE Art Space, Shanghai, CN

2007
Polyphony Arndt and Partner, Berlino, DE

2001 
Fake Reality, Fun Art Gallery, Pechino, CN

 

Group Show

2016
Posers, Pekin Fine Arts, Beijing, CN

2015 
The M+Sigg Collection: Chinese Art from the 1970 to now, The Whiteworth Art Gallery, Manchester, GB

2014
Civilization II-Yulin, Xi’an Fine OCAT Contemporary Art Center, Shannxi, CN

2013  
Timeline: An Exhibition of Contemporary Art, YOUR MENT Art Center, Nanning, CN 
Enlightened Nature, Amy Li Gallery, Pechino, CN

2011 
15 Days: A Collaborative Work?, White Box Museum of Art, Pechino, CN

2010 
History Class, Pekin Fine Arts, Pechino, CN

2009 
Cina, Rinascita contemporanea, Palazzo Reale, Milano, IT

2008 
Lovely Blossoms and Full Moon: Yuz Collection of Chinese Contemporary Art, Yuz Art Museum Giacarta, ID
Hypallage: The Post-Modern Mode of Chinese Contemporary Art, The OCT Art & Design Gallery, Shenzhen, CN
The Revolution Continues: New Chinese Art, Saatchi Gallery, Londra, GB
See History 2008 Kunsthalle zu Kiel, DE
Art xinès contemporani de la collecció Sigg, Fundació Joan Miró, Barcellona, ES
360°-Chinese Contemporary Art New Visions, Technopolis, Atene, GR
La Cina É Vicina, Palazzo Delle Arti Napoli, IT
Free Zone: China, BSI, Lugano, CH

2007 
Pocheon Asia Biennale 2007, Pocheon, KR
Black White Grey, Art Now, Beijing, China
Moscow Biennial, Chinese Contemporary SOCIAL ART Exhibition, The State Tretyakov Gallery, Mosca, RU
Remixed & Revisited: New Visions on China, Arndt & Partner, Zurigo, CH

2006 
The Road Map of Painting II, BTAP, Pechino, CN
China Coup, The Red Mansion Foundation, Londra, GB
The Self-made Generation, Shanghai Zendai Museum of Modern Art, Shanghai, CN

2005 
The Road Map of Painting, 798 Space, Pechino, CN
Beyond Temporality, Pingyao, CN
Dream Producers (IV/VI), Xin Dong Cheng Space for Contemporary Art, Pechino, CN
Beijing Stories, The Red Mansion Foundation, Londra, GB
Mahjong – Chinese Gegenwartskunst aus der Sammlung Sigg, Kunstmuseum Bern, CH
China Contemporary Painting, Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio, Bologna, IT

2004 
Land Scapes, Shanghai Gallery of Art, Shanghai, CN
New Perspectives in Chinese Painting, Marella Arte Contemporanea, Milano, IT
China’s Photographic Painting, China Art Seasons, 798 Art Zone, Pechino, CN

2003  
Moyemode Moyemobude, 798 Art Zone, Pechino, CN
China Art Now, Marella Arte Contemporanea, Milano, IT

2002 
Contemporary Art Exhibition – Deduct, Fabricate, Copy, Pechino, CN

1999 
Out-of-control, Pechino, CN

1998 
In the City- Individuality, Pechino, CN

1994 
Northeast China Contemporary Art Exhibition, Shenyang, CN

1993 
China Biannual Oil Painting Exhibition, Pechino, CN