Xu Yang (b. 1996, Shandong) lives and works in London, UK. She studied Fine Art Painting at Wimbledon College of Arts (UAL) 2015-18, and graduated with an MA in Painting from the Royal College of Art in 2020.
Xu Yang’s multidisciplinary practice explores themes of identity, sexuality, and culture, weaving together both personal and universal experiences. Her work is deeply rooted in an excavation of history, drawing on influences from the Rococo era, mythology, and her own Chinese heritage. This fusion allows her to create a contemporary narrative that addresses the complexities of human nature while reflecting the richness and challenges of her cultural background. Often inserting her own image into her painting, by directly confronting the viewer her work encourages audiences to question and challenge societal constructs.
Recent solo exhibitions include "Imagine Yourself a Warrior", Mou Projects, Hong Kong (2023); "Therefore I am", Dio Horia, Athens (2022); "100 Carat Diamond", Barbican Arts Group Trust, London (2020). Duo exhibitions include "Tomorrow will be the Most Beautiful Day of Your Life" with Victoria Cantons, Studio West, London (2021). Recent group exhibitions include “Supercrowds/Supercommunity”, Tank Shanghai, Shanghai (2024); "Beyond the Looking Glass", galerie lange + pult, Zürich (2024); "The Arcadian Dream", Spurs Gallery, Beijing (2024); "NEW NOW", Guts gallery (2024); "Last Tango Fundraising Auction", Last Tango Kunstverein Zurich (Last Tango Art Association Zurich), Zurich (2023); "Touch-A-Touch-A- Touch-A-Touch Me", Berntson Bhattacharjee Gallery, London (2023); "It's my party". Guts gallery. London (2023); "Machines of Desire", Simon Lee gallery, London (2022); "Eat, Drink, Man, Women", 180 Strand, London (2022); "A Couple of...", Hive Art Centre, Beijing (2021); Photo London, Kovet.Art (2021);”Redirecting", Tree Museum, Beijing (2021); "London Grads Now", Saatchi Gallery, London (2020); ”Beacon", Josh Lilley, London (2020).
Institutional exhibitions include "The Cult of Beauty", Wellcome Collection, London (2023). She was recently awarded a commission by Tate Collective for LGBTQIA+ history month (2023). Yang was the winner of the Barbican Arts Group Trust ArtWorks Open (2019), and she was shortlisted for the Contemporary Young Artist Prize (2020).