Yue Minjun Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, China, b. 1962
-
-
Yue Minjun is a prominent figure in Chinese contemporary art, having gained international acclaim for his distinctive works featuring his trademark exaggerated smile.
b. 1962, Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, China
Lives and works in Beijing, China
> DOWNLOAD CV
Having studied at the Fine Arts Department of Hebei University in China, Yue Minjun's artistic career took off when he gathered attention for his participation in the 48th Venice Biennale. Since then, he has continued to exhibit his art on a global scale, showcasing his work in renowned museum exhibitions and prestigious events like the Gwangju Biennale and Shanghai Biennale (2004).
Yue Minjun's diverse body of work encompasses paintings, sculptures, and installations, all consistently centered around the theme of laughing self-portraits. These self-depictions feature vibrant and acidic pink tones that make them visually striking. By drawing inspiration from both celebrated European masterpieces and iconic Chinese art, the artist challenges the grandeur of art history by infusing his creations with elements of pop aesthetics.
Combining the expressive exaggeration of cartoons with the stylistic precision of graphic illustrations, Yue Minjun portrays his clones in distorted and grotesque forms. These figures, simultaneously acting as antagonists and anti-heroes, evoke a sense of intimidation while also becoming objects of ridicule. Through the depiction of laughter, which carries connotations of both violence and vulnerability, Yue Minjun's artworks explore the spirit of contemporary anxiety while preserving the essence of Eastern tradition.
Within Yue Minjun's artistic realm, the laughing figures coexist with a variety of symbols, metaphors, and representations of everyday life. The artist frequently challenges social and cultural norms by presenting global and political issues in a radical, abstract, ironic, and cynical manner. Yue Minjun's paintings evoke unconditional empathy and offer a unique approach to the philosophical exploration of the complexities of modern existence.
Selected public collections
• M+ Museum of Visual Culture, Hong Kong, China • CP Art Foundation, Indonesia
• Cheng Du Shang He Museum, China
• Shen Yang Dong Yu Art Museum, China• Guang Dong Art Museum, China
• Shen Zhen Art Museum, China
• Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco, USA • Museum of Architecture, Chicago, USA
• Denver Art Museum, USA
• Francois. Mitterrand Cultural Center, France • Busan Museum of Art, South Korea
• Union University Art Museum, Singapore -
Works
Yue Minjun Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, China, b. 1962
Maze Looking for Chinese Art-2, 2008Oil on canvasDiptych
300 × 400 cmFurther images
Yue Minjun’s Maze series marks a profound shift from his earlier works toward intricate compositions that explore themes of identity, history, and existential uncertainty. Rooted in the ancient Shan-Shui painting...Yue Minjun’s Maze series marks a profound shift from his earlier works toward intricate compositions that explore themes of identity, history, and existential uncertainty. Rooted in the ancient Shan-Shui painting tradition, which has shaped Chinese art for over 1,500 years, Maze bridges classical aesthetics with contemporary social commentary. In these works, traditional elements—wood, stone, flowers, and birds—are woven into intricate labyrinths, creating an elaborate visual metaphor for the complexities of modern existence. His mazes function not only as physical spaces but also as psychological landscapes, where the search for meaning mirrors the disorienting realities of contemporary life. By reinterpreting traditional painting through the lens of modernity, Maze invites the viewer to consider the evolving relationship between past and present.
“I have tried to convey my feelings through painting, borrowing traditional cultural elements—wood and stone, flowers, birds… Chinese characters transformed into a labyrinth to interpret the inner world.” – Yue Minjun
Exhibitions
Harmony and Transition – Reflecting Chinese Landscapes, Museum Marta Herford, Germany. Jun 20–Oct 4, 2015