A leading female sculptor and figure in Chinese contemporary art, Yin Xiuzhen (b. 1963, Beijing, China) began her career in the early 1990s following her graduation from Capital Normal University in Beijing where she received a B.A. from the Fine Arts Department in 1989. Best known for her works that incorporate second-hand objects, Yin uses her artwork to explore modern issues of globalization and homogenization.

By utilizing recycled materials such as sculptural documents of memory, she seeks to personalize objects and allude to the lives of specific individuals, which are often neglected in the drive toward excessive urbanization, rapid modern development and the growing global economy. The artist explains, "In a rapidly changing China, 'memory' seems to vanish more quickly than everything else. That's why preserving memory has become an alternative way of life."

About the Author

Wu Hung is Professor of Art History at the University of Chicago as well as a Consulting Curator for the Smart Museum. Hou Hanru is the Artistic Director of the MAXXI in Rome. He was previously Director of Exhibitions and Public Program and Chair of Exhibition and Museum Studies at the San Francisco Institute of Art. Stephanie Rosenthal is Chief Curator at the Hayward Gallery in London as well as Artistic Director of the 20th Biennale of Sydney.

Reviews

On the Contemporary Artists Series

"The boldest, best executed, and most far-reaching publishing project devoted to contemporary art. These books will revolutionize the way contemporary art is presented and written about."-Artforum

"The combination of intelligent analysis, personal insight, useful facts and plentiful pictures is a superb format invaluable for specialists but also interesting for casual readers, it makes these books a must for the library of anyone who cares about contemporary art."-Time Out

"A unique series of informative monographs on individual artists."-The Sunday Times

"Gives the reader the impression of a personal encounter with the artists. Apart from the writing which is lucid and illuminating, it is undoubtedly the wealth of lavish illustrations which makes looking at these books a satisfying entertainment."-The Art Book

Book Information
ISBN 9780714867489
Author Hou Hanru
Format Paperback
Page Count 160
Imprint Phaidon Press Ltd
Publisher Phaidon Press Ltd
Weight(grams) 1057g
Dimensions(mm) 290mm * 250mm * 15mm