Email: yinan.mail@126.com
Position
Tenured Associate Professor
Education
2003: Graduated from Affiliated High School of Central Academy of Fine Arts
2007: B.A. in Sculpture, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University
2010: M.A. in Sculpture, Faculty of Fine Arts, Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia (State-funded exchange program)
2010: Visiting Scholar, Sveshnikov Studio, Sculpture Department, Repin Academy of Fine Arts, Russia
2023: Ph.D. in Sculpture, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University
Academic Appointments
·Member, Chinese Sculpture Society
·Peer Reviewer, Academic Degree Theses, Ministry of Education, China
·Jury Member, Science Popularization Innovation Competitions, China Association for Science and Technology
·Expert Advisor, Hainan Folk Literature & Art Association
Professional Experience
May 2013–Present: Faculty Member, Sculpture Department, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University
Research Focus
·Contemporary Sculpture Material Language Research
·Monumental Sculpture Studies
Academic Philosophy
In fine arts, material language research explores the aesthetic potential and practical applications of media through empirical experimentation. For modern sculpture, materials transcend their role as mere representational carriers; in contemporary art discourse, they have evolved into formalized vehicles for materializing artistic concepts, enabling aesthetic expression and narrative construction. Today, material studies constitute a critical pillar in sculptural disciplinary development.
Amidst artistic pluralism, sculptural practice demands rigorous exploration of diverse forms—including aesthetic sensibilities, material mediation, and commemorative vocabulary—coupled with foundational theoretical inquiry. Grounded in Chinese cultural traditions while embracing global challenges, this approach seeks to manifest the unique spiritual ethos and artistic identity of contemporary Chinese sculpture. Yinan Wang’s research bridges artistic language innovation with sociocultural reflection, striving to harmonize Eastern cultural heritage with contemporary creative paradigms to establish a sculptural praxis imbued with Chinese identity and autonomous material aesthetics.
Academic Achievements
2008–2010: Conducted in-depth research on Russian monumental sculpture and foundational pedagogy during overseas study. Works exhibited in multiple mainstream Russian art exhibitions.
2013–Present: Established Metal Welding Laboratory at Tsinghua, pioneering curriculum development for direct metal sculpture. Course Material Practice III certified as "Tsinghua Academy of Arts & Design Elite Course."
Research Projects
2018: Silhouette of Vigilance sculpture creation supported by National Art Fund Youth Creative Talent Project (PI) – first direct metal sculpture funded by NAF.
2018: Participated in Modern Chinese Historical Sculpture Exhibition (NAF dissemination project).
2020: 20th-Century Sculpture Material Language Autonomy Studies funded by MOE Social Science Youth Project (PI).
2021: BMW Intangible Cultural Heritage Preservation Innovation Model supported by Tsinghua-Qingdao Art & Science Innovation Institute (PI).
Collaborative Projects
·"21st Century Art Engineering" (Thematic sculptures for CPC History Exhibition Hall)
·Central Party School Campus Sculpture Project
·Tianjin Economic Development Zone Landmark Sculpture Design
Patents
2019–2022: Granted 3 national patents, including 2 inventions:
·Sculpture Fabrication Method and Product (ZL202010000000.0)
·Coconut Shell Sculpture Molding Technique (ZL202110000000.0)
Exhibitions (Selected)
Domestic (50+ entries)
·National Unity – Chinese Sculpture Art Exhibition (National Art Museum of China)
·Luminous Journey – Historical Sculpture Exhibition (NAF-funded)
·12th National Fine Arts Exhibition – Experimental Art Section (Teaching Unit)
·3rd National Youth Fine Arts Exhibition
·Harmony in Diversity – 2nd Academic Experimental Art Documentation Exhibition
·Motion·Stillness – China-Korea Contemporary Art Exchange
·Spring Cup – 1st Chinese Young Sculptors Invitational
·Celestial Dynamics – 1st International Kinetic Sculpture Exhibition
·2016 Suzhou·Jinji Lake Biennale
·Cyber Emergence – NFT Digital Art Exhibition
International (10+ entries)
·ANIMAL Art Science Nature Society (City University of Hong Kong/National Palace Museum Taipei)
·XIANG – Contemporary Sculpture Exhibition (Tokyo, Japan)
·300th Anniversary of Poltava Battle (Russia)
·St. Petersburg Spring Salon Art Exhibition (Russia)
Collections
Works held by:
·National Art Museum of China
·Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University
·Zero Art Museum
·Xi’an Academy of Fine Arts International Sculpture Studio
Publications
Peer-reviewed papers in:
·Научное мнение (Russian Ministry of Education Core Journal)
·Art Panorama
·Sculpture
·Academic Sculpture
Artworks and critiques featured in core journals:
·Fine Arts
·Art & Design
Major Awards
2007: Academic Award (Highest Honor), 2nd National College Sculpture Excellence Exhibition
2008: Outstanding Work Award (Highest Honor), 3rd National Youth Fine Arts Exhibition
2010: Excellence Award, St. Petersburg Spring Salon (Russia)
2015: First Prize, Jiangsu Horticultural Expo Public Art Competition
2017: Bronze Award, 3rd Changbai Mountain International Ice & Snow Sculpture Competition
Curated Academic Initiatives
2016: Director, Tsinghua Traditional Sculpture Advanced Studies Program
2017: Organized "Bourdelle Sculpture Copying Workshop" & public lectures, Tsinghua University Art Museum
2020: Chief Curator, "Snow Capital Cup" National Art Student Snow Sculpture Competition (Altay, Xinjiang)
Teaching
Undergraduate Courses
·Material Practice III
·Space & Modeling
·Bust Relief
·Human Figure Relief
·1/2 Life-Size Clay Figure
·Sketch III
·Sculpture Creation Practice I-IV
·Experimental Sculpture I-IV
·Sculptural Structures
·3D Form Foundations
Awards and Honors
2014 Tsinghua University Academy of Arts & Design Advanced Worker
2015 The 2nd National College Student Snow Sculpture Competition, Excellent Instructor Award
2016 Tsinghua University Excellent Class Advisor, Second Prize
2016 Tsinghua University Young Faculty Teaching Competition, Second Prize
2016 Tsinghua University Undergraduate Teaching Reform Project: "Innovative Practice of Sculpture Creation Practice Course Based on Sculpture Draft Research"
2017 The 9th International College Student Snow Sculpture Competition, Excellent Instructor Award
2018 Tsinghua University Excellent Class Advisor, Second Prize; The class led (Class of Fine Arts 018) received 6 highest collective honors at the university level, including Tsinghua University Class A League Branch and Tsinghua University Excellent Academic Style Class.
2021 Received Tsinghua University Academy of Arts & Design Excellent Undergraduate Achievement Award
2021 Materials Practice 3 was recognized as a Tsinghua University Academy of Arts & Design Excellent Course (Course Leader)
