Tenured Professor, Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the Department of Sculpture, Vice Dean of the Academy of Arts & Design

Work Experience

1991: Graduated from the Department of Sculpture, China Academy of Art, and worked as a teacher there

1996: Appointed as Head of the Department of Sculpture, China Academy of Art

2000: Served as Head of the Department of Fine Arts and Professor in the Department of Sculpture at the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University

2008: Appointed as Head of the Department of Sculpture at the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University

Academic (Professional) Services

Vice President of the China Artists Association

President of the China Sculpture Institute

Member of the Doctoral Supervisor Team at the Department of Sculpture, China Academy of Art

President, Professor at the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, Shanghai University

Vice President of the China Artists Association, President of the China Sculpture Institute

Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)

Member of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles

Member of the Central Committee of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party

Deputy Director of the National Major Theme Art Creation Committee

Member of the Public Art Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

Member of the Art Committee of China Art Museum

Research Interests

Research on the Modern Transformation of Traditional Chinese Sculptural Language

Academic Claims

I have been exploring and pursuing the establishment of a Chinese sculptural language system rooted in China through my creation practice, focusing on traditional Chinese sculpture while actively drawing from its essence. Traditional Chinese sculpture is imbued with strength, solidity, and ancient simplicity, even a powerful sense of dominance. This dominance embodies the vitality and spirit of a nation. It is a manifestation of human will to conquer the material world and nature, representing a vigorous and enterprising spirit.

Chinese art forms and artistic ideology are deeply rooted in the soil of Chinese cultural consciousness. Only by truly understanding this cultural consciousness, can one fully appreciate the unique expressions of Chinese art. It has been proven that some of the most avant-garde art forms often contain the most primitive and ethnically distinctive elements, which may embody the most cutting-edge and pioneering ideas of an era.

In today’s world of increasing cultural and economic globalization, the discovery and re-examination of Chinese cultural traditions have sparked efforts to actively transform them in line with contemporary conditions. A key challenge facing Chinese sculpture is to establish a sculptural system that embodies both Chinese characteristics and contemporary relevance. The modern transformation of traditional Chinese sculpture has been a focus of research for generations. Continued exploration in this area will further drive the progress and development of this critical field.

Academic Achievements

Organized and curated influential sculpture exhibitions multiple times

Publications

“Appreciating Gaud” was published in Sculpture, Issue 12, 2004

“Natural Factors in Sculptural Environments” was included in the paper collection of Public Art

“On Cheng Yunxian’s Sculptural Art” was published in Art, Issue 10, 2008

In 1989, “The Three Heroes of Jianhu Lake” won the Gold Award at the 7th National Exhibition of Fine Arts (Beijing, China)

In 1989, “The Three Heroes of Jianhu Lake” won the Liu Kaiqu Sculpture Art Fund Award and was collected in the National Art Museum of China

In 1990, “Dragon Boat” won the First Prize at the 2nd National Sports Art Exhibition (Beijing, China) in 1990, and “Dancing” won the Excellence Award at the 2nd National Excellent Urban Sculpture Competition (Beijing, China)

In 1994, “Liangshan Heroes – Inspector Lu Zhishen” won the Gold Award at the 1st West Lake Art Festival (Hangzhou, China)

In 2001, “Empty Valley” was featured in the 2001 West Lake International Sculpture Invitational Exhibition as one of the main organizers and curators (Hangzhou, China)

In 2003, “The Call from Distant Mountains” was featured in the 1st Beijing International Art Biennale (Beijing, China)

In 2004, “Olympic Torch Relay” won the Silver Award at the International Olympic Sports and Art Exhibition organized by the International Olympic Committee

In 2004, “The Autumn Harvest Uprising” received the Excellence Award at the 3rd National Urban Sculpture Achievement Exhibition

In 2005, “Ancient Echoes” was featured in the 2nd Beijing International Art Biennale (Beijing, China)

In 2007, “Moonlight” received the Excellence Award at the Annual National Sculpture Exhibition organized by the National Sculpture Construction Steering Committee

In 2007, “Lotus III” was featured in the Changbaishan International Sculpture Symposium (Changbaishan, China)

In 2008, “Lotus V” won the National Young Artist Creation Award at the 3rd Beijing International Art Biennale (Beijing, China) organized by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Beijing Municipal People’s Government and China Artists Association

In 2008, participated in the Chinese Pose • The 1st China Sculpture Exhibition with the artwork “Lotus IV” and served as the curator of the exhibition

Main Exhibitions, Awards, and Collections

In 2009, participated in the “Industrial Memory” Sculpture Exhibition in Shanghai

In 2010, participated in the 2nd China-Korea Sculpture Exchange Exhibition

2011

The relief “Yu Gong Moves the Mountains” was permanently displayed at the National Museum of China (Beijing, China)

“The Awakened One” was featured in the Shuimu Tsinghua • Collection of An International Sculpture Exhibition on Campus during Tsinghua University's Centennial Celebration

Participated in the Chinese Pose • The 2nd China Sculpture Exhibition

Participated in the Tsinghua Art • The Collection of Works from Teachers of Plastic Arts, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University

“The Mountain God” received the Special Honor Award at the 1st Liu Kaiqu Award International Sculpture Exhibition in Wuhu (Anhui, China)

“Moonlight” won the Public Art Award at the Chinese Pose • 2nd China Sculpture Exhibition and was featured in the Time Travel: Zeng Chenggang Sculpture Exhibition (Hamburg, Germany) in 2012

“Lotus” was featured in the 2012 China-Germany Cultural Year “Form of the Formless” Chinese Contemporary Art Exhibition (Germany)

“Walk with Us” was featured in the 4th West Lake International Sculpture Invitational Exhibition (Hangzhou, China)

“The Awakened One,” “Lotus in My Dream,” and “The Three Heroes of Jianhu Lake” were featured in the Centennial of the National Museum of China · Chinese Sculpture in the Past Century (Beijing)

“Moonlight” won the Public Art Outdoor Sculpture Academic Award

“The Awakened One” was featured in the 10th China Art Festival (Jinan, China) in 2013

2014

Time Travel: Zeng Chenggang Sculpture Exhibition (Lucerne, Switzerland)

The “Statue of Engels” was completed in Wuppertal, Germany

2015

The statue of Marx and Engels, titled “Comrades,” was completed at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance)

“The Mountain God” was featured in the “New Oriental Aesthetics” Invitational Exhibition of Renowned Contemporary Chinese Sculptors (Xiamen)

“The Mountain God” was featured in the “We Are Together” 2015 Chengdu Public Art Season (Chengdu, China)

“Daybreak” was featured in the 7th China-Korea Sculpture Exchange Exhibition (Seoul, South Korea)

2016

Courtesy · Great Unity - National Unity-Themed Sculpture Creation Exhibition (Beijing)

“Mysterious Bird” was featured in the New Silk Road, New Starting Point · The 1st “Dream of Sunbird” International Outdoor Sculpture Invitational Exhibition (Yiwu, China)

“Lotus in My Dream” was featured in the “Breath - The Contemporary Form of Chinese Traditional Culture” (Nanjing, China)

“Lotus” was completed in the Tsinghua University Art Museum (Beijing, China)

“Chinese Mythology” was included in the Art Creation Project on the Theme of Chinese Civilization and History (Beijing, China)

2017

The physical emblem for the “Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation” was installed at the Yanqi Lake Conference Center

“Olympic Torch Relay” was completed at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance)

2018

“Huo Qubing” was exhibited as part of the “Belt and Road” National Major Art Project and was collected by the China National Academy of Painting

“Zhongzhiwu” was featured in the “Human and Nature • 1st Zhengzhou International Sculpture Exhibition,” and was collected

The sculpture series “Chinese Homeland – Fifty-Six Ethnic Groups” was collected by the China National Academy of Painting

“Daybreak” was featured in the 7th Wuhu International Sculpture Exhibition and collected by the Wuhu Municipal People’s Government

Participated in and co-led the thematic creation for Project 21

Participated in the major sculpture creation project for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China

2019

“Snow Eagle” was installed at the China-Arab Friendship Sculpture Park in Yinchuan

“The Awakened One,” “Elf Series” were featured in the Heritage · Transformation: “Peer” Contemporary Sculpture Art Exhibition

“Chinese Homeland” was featured in the Great Journey, Splendid View - The Fine Art Exhibition in Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China

Integration · 2019 Sculpture Invitational Exhibition

2020

“Tribute to China - Sculpture Exhibition on the Great Unity of the Chinese Nation” organized by Hangzhou Lotus Art Museum,and China Artists Association

“The Three Heroes of Jianhu Lake” and “Huo Qubing” were featured in the North and South - China Contemporary Academic Sculpture Exhibition

The kinetic sculpture “A Pact of the Heart” was installed at the Museum of Light in Beijing

The sculpture “Lotus” was featured in the East West South North & Middle · College Sculpture Invitational Exhibition

Exhibition Planning

The 1st Contemporary Young Sculptors Invitational Exhibition (Hangzhou, China) in 1992

The 2nd Contemporary Young Sculptors Invitational Exhibition (Hangzhou-Qingdao, China) in 2000

West Lake International Sculpture Invitational Exhibition (Hangzhou, China) in 2000

West Lake International Sculpture Invitational Exhibition (Hangzhou, China) in 2001

The 3rd National Urban Sculpture Achievement Exhibition, serving as executive director, in 2004

“Sculpture of A Century” Exhibition (Shanghai, China) in 2005

Portrait Exhibition of Chinese Cultural Celebrities in Duolun Road (Shanghai, China) in 2006

“Communication between the City and Sculpture: Welcome the World Expo” International Urban Sculpture Invitational Exhibition (Shanghai, China) in 2007

Green Sculpture and Environment - Experimental Works Invitational Exhibition in 2007

Chinese Pose • The 1st China Sculpture Exhibition (Tour Exhibition Across Seven Cities in China

Sound of Metal · The 1st China Sculpture Academic Invitational Exhibition (Beijing, China) in 2008

Centennial Olympics – One Dream (Beijing, China) in 2008

“Industrial Memory” Sculpture Exhibition in Shanghai in 2009

The 2nd China-Korea Sculpture Exchange Exhibition in 2010

2011

Shuimu Tsinghua • Collection of An International Sculpture Exhibition on Campus during Tsinghua University’s Centennial Celebration

Chinese Pose • The 2nd China Sculpture Exhibition

Wuhu, China • The 2nd Liu Kaiqu Award International Sculpture Exhibition in 2012

Wuhu, China • The 3rd Liu Kaiqu Award International Sculpture Exhibition in 2013

2014

Chinese Pose • The 3rd China Sculpture Exhibition

Wuhu, China • The 4th Liu Kaiqu Award International Sculpture Exhibition

Wuhu, China • The 5th Liu Kaiqu Award International Sculpture Exhibition in 2015

2016

New Silk Road, New Starting Point · The 1st “Dream of Sunbird” International Outdoor Sculpture Invitational Exhibition

Tide Wonders· International Sculpture Exhibition, Haining, China

Chinese Pose • The 4th China Sculpture Exhibition

Wuhu, China • The 6th Liu Kaiqu Award International Sculpture Exhibition

The 8th China-Korea Sculpture Exchange Exhibition

2017

Movement & Action · The 2nd Chinese International Kinetic Sculpture Exhibition

Eye of the City · China Urban Sculpture Outdoor Exhibition

Wuhu, China • The 7th Liu Kaiqu Award International Sculpture Exhibition

Human and Nature • Zhengzhou International Sculpture Exhibition

Chinese Pose • The 1st Wenzhou International Sculpture Exhibition

2018

The Heart of a Genius - Xin Dongwang Art Exhibition

Pure Perfection · The 10th China-Korea Contemporary Sculpture Exchange Exhibition

2018 Chinese University Students Sculpture Exhibition

“Human and Nature” China • Zhengzhou International Sculpture Exhibition

“Transformation · Creation” The 7th “Liu Kaiqu Award” International Sculpture Exhibition in Wuhu, China

China (Hui’an) International Carving Art Fair

China • Hui’an Sculpture Development Summit Forum

2019

“Heritage · Transformation - Peer” Contemporary Sculpture Art Exhibition

“Integration” Contemporary Sculpture Art Exhibition

Wuhu, China • The 8th Liu Kaiqu Award International Sculpture Exhibition

2020

“Energy Transformation · Boundless Love” Charity Online Exhibition

North and South - China Contemporary Academic Sculpture Exhibition

East West South North & Middle · College Sculpture Invitational Exhibition

Zhengzhou “Human and Nature” International Sculpture Exhibition

Honors

Nominated as a candidate for the UNESCO Prize for the Promotion of the Arts in 1992

Awarded the title of “Contributor to the Special Development of Longhua, Shanghai” by the Shanghai Municipal Government in 1998

Awarded the title of “Model Artist Excelling in Both Virtue and Art” by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles in 1998

Awarded the title of “Top Ten Outstanding Youths of Zhejiang Province” in 2000

Served as a national sculpture judge at the 10th National Art Exhibition in 2004

Served as a national sculpture judge at the 10th National Art Exhibition in 2004

2004

Curated and served as a judge at the 3rd National Urban Sculpture Achievement Exhibition

Received the “Academic Newcomer Award” from Tsinghua University

Awarded the title of “National Four Batches of Talent”

Awarded the “State Council Special Allowance” by the State Council in 2007

Elected as a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in 2008

Won the prize at the Northern Art Exhibition in Germany in 2010

Awarded the title of “Outstanding Individual” during Tsinghua University’s Centennial Celebration in 2011

Won the Figure of the Year Award from Art News of China in 2011

2012

Won the prize at the Northern Art Exhibition in Germany

Served as a judge for the 12th Military Fine Arts Exhibition of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army

Interviewed by the CCTV program Art Life

Teaching

Environmental Sculpture, Ethnic Sculpture, Traditional Sculpture, Human Body Relief, Clay Bust Sculpture, Traditional Sculpture Copying, Sculpture, Research on Morphology of Sculpture, Modern Language Transformation of Chinese Traditional Sculpture