Through a wide range of media from painting, sculpture and video installation, He Xiangyu playfully explores social criticism in his practice, foregrounding a refreshing humor and process-based approach. The artist’s imaginative and bold experimentation allows him to reveal structural vulnerability in today’s cultural development. In Cola Project (2012), He amounts an apocalyptic landscape of boiled residue from 127 tons of Coca Cola, in addition to other alchemic artifacts using the product. Tracing a clichéd analogy of contemporary heritage, He displays an evocative scale of grandeur while maintaining his personal attachment that precedes the narrative.
For his first presentation in Japan, He showcases a selection of works made since 2011, including those exhibited for the first time. Wisdom Tower (2013) brings together a stack of the artist’s wisdom teeth and miniature golden Chinese pagodas – a series He intends to continue with teeth purchased from third persons.
Xiangyu He -