WANG Yiquan

Wang Yiquan, born in Beijing in 1987, is an artist and curator currently based in Shanghai. With research interests including performance art, film, urban space and the relationship between art and economy, he has developed his art into a multi-dimensional practice over the past decade. As an artist, his works combine complexity with diversity. He has constantly challenged the traditional format of exhibitions by transforming multiple artistic mediums into performative settings to create participatory live events and narrative spatial configurations, which form part of his commentary on social and cultural issues. Curating exhibitions and organising art events are essential to Wang Yiquan’s artistic practice. In 2018, he was the co-curator of Public Space Performance Project, the 2nd Contemporary Theatre Biennale Shenzhen, and produced a series of performance art by young artists in Shenzhen’s urban space, reflecting the new directions of Chinese contemporary art. In May 2019, he organised a city-curatorial project titled Streetwise and invited artists to create works and performance pieces in a local street in Shanghai’s XINTIANDI. He is also the founding partner of Acts and Pathways (AP), a multidisciplinary spatial practice, through which he undertakes urban projects that focus on social and cultural issues. Last year, he organised Ba-te-dhou 摆摊头 with AP’s team, and created a one-day live event in response to China’s ‘street-stall economy’ discussion. Wang Yiquan studied BA Journalism at Beijing International Studies University (2006-10), Visual Communication Design at Central Academy of Fine Arts (2009-10), and MA Narrative Environments at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London (2010-12).