Yao Jun Zhong

Biography

Yao Junzhong was born in1961 in Tang Shan, Hebei province, China. In 1993, he settled down at Yuan Ming Yuan, an  Artist's village, and lived in Beijing Tong Zhou Artists District Songzhuang from 1994.

In a typical Beijing style, his works take the form of a critical social commentary. The current series highlights the effect of the one-child policy of China, and the changes in China’s social and political climate over the past decade.

The Chinese have experienced a boost in trade and a zeal for gadgetry and luxury items that spell personal status. With the flurry of economic growth China is experiencing, many Chinese are increasing their personal expenditure. Coupled with an increasing demand for status and branded goods, China’s children are developing up in a materialistic environment where new is better and favours are wrangled from harried parents. Children are often in the driving seat, dictating their wants to their parents who devote all their attention and affluent lifestyles to a single offspring.

Through the images of the children, their playful postures and expressions hint at the patriarchal system still evident in modern Chinese society. Male children are favored over little girls as they are seen as being able to carry on the family lineage.

Selected Exhibitions

2005    Leisureful Life, Modern Art Exhibition of China, Beijing
            Simplified Hong Kong, Modern Art Exhibition of China, Hong Kong

2004    The First Chinese Artists’ Works (Road Exhibition), Colombia, Venezuela

            Pink Series 2, Modern Art Exhibition, Beijing

            The Space up in the City, Modern Art Exhibition, Beijing

2003    Pink Series – Sunlight A.B.C, Expression Fettle, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong

2002    Red Kids Series, Puluo Plan Exhibitionof 14 Artist, Beijing

            Pink Series – Float, Space-Time Modern Canvas Exhibition, Beijing

            Red Kids Series – N Plan, Resurgence – Modern Painting Exhibition, Beijing

2001    Go Ahead Kids, Modern Canvas Exhibition, Beijing
            Red Kids Armed Force – Us, Them, Shanghai

2000    Red Kids, A.B.C – China in Growing, Australia