Ma Haiquan: Urban Images

Ma Haiquan: Urban Images Ma Haiquan: Urban Images April 11, 2025 – May 10, 2025 Opening Reception: April 11, 2025, 17:30–19:30 Venue: AOMO Gallery Curator: Yanbei Step into the visual meditations of Lisbon-based photographer Ma Haiquan. Through poetic compositions of light and shadow, the artist captures the fleeting silhouettes of subway passengers, solitary figures at street corners, and the delicate balance between motion and stillness. Born in Beijing and residing in Lisbon since 2015, Ma Haiquan’s work transcends geographical boundaries. Blurred commuters in transit engage in silent dialogue with crystalline stillness, reflecting the migrant experience of navigating cultural thresholds. As restrained Eastern composition meets the lyrical expression of Western urban landscapes, these images embody AOMO Gallery’s core philosophy: Art Without Borders. Through his photography, Ma Haiquan examines how displacement reshapes visual storytelling, encouraging young audiences to reinterpret identity through experimental imagery.

Yan Bei Attends the Opening of Ai Weiwei’s Exhibition A New Chapter in London

Yan Bei Attends the Opening of Ai Weiwei’s Exhibition A New Chapter in London On February 7, 2025, Ai Weiwei’s solo exhibition, A New Chapter, opened at Lisson Gallery in London. This exhibition presents a series of new works by the artist, exploring the complexities of identity, politics, and cultural heritage through a visual language that intertwines history and contemporary themes. At the heart of the exhibition is F.U.C.K. (2024), an installation composed of four Second World War military stretchers, covered with over 9,000 different types of buttons sourced from the now-closed A Brown & Co button factory. This piece not only continues Ai Weiwei’s research into industrialization and textile history but also symbolizes the transformation of craftsmanship in the era of globalization. Adjacent to it, Go Fuck Yourself (2024) uses military tents as canvases, similarly sewn with buttons, addressing political polarization and social division. Through the rearrangement of materials, these works present a critical perspective on communication and conflict in contemporary society. Additionally, Ai Weiwei reinterprets Paul Gauguin’s masterpiece Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? (1897-98) using toy bricks, integrating modern imagery such as drones and references to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Within this composition, he portrays himself as an Indigenous figure, examining the language of pixelation and identity in the digital age. He states, “This material is a new linguistic system, constructed through digital logic, positioned at the intersection of the rational and the irrational.” Wheat Field with Crows (2024), another toy brick piece, replaces the crows from Van Gogh’s painting with drones, using contemporary imagery to evoke themes of chaos and control, offering a reinterpretation of historical artworks in today’s context. The exhibition also features four small-scale sculptures made from toy bricks. Among them, Iron Helmet Secured by Toy Bricks (2024) stands out—a rusted German soldier’s helmet encased within a white brick-built altar, symbolizing war, memory, and the passage of time. Through this exhibition, Ai Weiwei continues to push the boundaries of artistic language, constructing a dialogue between personal, political, and artistic narratives. His works, rich in conceptual depth and visual intensity, invite viewers to reconsider key issues at the intersection of history and contemporary reality. Exhibition Information: Title: Ai Weiwei | A New Chapter Dates: February 7 – March 15, 2025 Venue: Lisson Gallery, London

Yanbei Explores New Creative Ideas in Ai Weiwei’s Art Exhibition “Don Quixote”

Yanbei Explores New Creative Ideas in Ai Weiwei’s Art Exhibition “Don Quixote” In November 2024, artist Yanbei from Aomo Gallery traveled to León, Spain, to attend Ai Weiwei’s art exhibition Don Quixote. This exhibition showcases some of Ai’s most significant works in recent years, addressing themes of identity, history, and social issues. During the event, Yan Bei and Ai Weiwei engaged in in-depth discussions about their creative processes and artistic philosophies. One of the most striking pieces in the exhibition is The Last Supper, recreated using LEGO bricks. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, Ai Weiwei transforms the iconic religious painting into a pixelated mosaic, using LEGO as a contemporary medium. The pink-toned background disrupts the solemnity of the original composition, offering a fresh visual interpretation. Through this work, Ai Weiwei explores themes of collective faith and individual identity while challenging conventional notions of historical art. After viewing the exhibition, Yanbei remarked that Ai Weiwei’s work is not just about reconstructing classics but about critically engaging with social issues. His innovative use of materials and visual language allows viewers to rediscover familiar images with new meanings. This exchange of artistic ideas has also prompted Yanbei to reflect on the direction of their own creative work. The exhibition in León will run until February 2025, offering audiences a profound artistic journey through history, contemporary issues, and personal expression.

“Portuguese Landscapes in the Eyes of Chinese Artists” Opens in Lisbon

“Portuguese Landscapes in the Eyes of Chinese Artists” Opens in Lisbon In September 2024, the group exhibition “Portuguese Landscapes in the Eyes of Chinese Artists” opened in Lisbon, Portugal. Curated by artist Yanbei, the exhibition features works from Chinese artists: Yanbei, Traviee, Bing Han, Guowei Wang, Zhongping Yu, Yongtao Pan, Jianjun Xu, Zixuan Sophia Zhong, and Ruowei Chen. Through diverse artistic perspectives, the artists explore their interpretations of Portuguese culture, landscapes, and daily life. The exhibition spans figurative and abstract styles, incorporating various media and deeply personal narratives, reflecting their creative evolution in a foreign land. The opening event welcomed over 100 guests, including art professionals, members of the local Chinese community, and Portuguese cultural enthusiasts. Engaged in lively discussions, attendees shared their personal experiences of living in Portugal and the inspirations drawn from cultural exchange. “As a universal language, art allows us to communicate beyond words,” said curator Yanbei. “This exhibition is not only a reflection of how Chinese artists perceive Portugal but also a bridge for deeper cultural understanding and dialogue.”

Haiquan Ma

Haiquan Ma Haiquan Ma, a talented photographer born in Beijing, China in 1975, has been on a remarkable artistic journey. His passion for capturing emotions through images led him to explore the world of photography. Early Beginnings:  Haiquan Ma embarked on his photographic journey in 1995, driven by a desire to express emotions visually. Education: From 2000 to 2003, he studied Journalism Photography at Beijing University of Technology, honing his technical skills and artistic vision. Professional Experience: Between 2011 and 2014,  Haiquan Ma worked at the “Big Negative Image” studio in Beijing. This experience allowed him to refine his craft and develop a unique perspective. Life in Portugal: Since 2015, he has made Portugal his home. The vibrant culture, landscapes, and people of this country have undoubtedly influenced his work. Academic Pursuits: In 2017 and 2018, Haiquan Ma furthered his artistic exploration by studying Graphic Photography at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the University of Lisbon. This academic journey likely expanded his creative horizons.

Yanbei

Yanbei Yanbei earned his degree from the College of Fine Arts of Capital Normal University in 1988. After graduation, he embarked on a career as a fine arts teacher from 1989 to 2000. At the turn of the century, Yanbei shifted his focus and established his own advertising and environmental art company. During this period, he worked on several notable landscape architecture projects. Since then, Yanbei has devoted himself exclusively to his art. He currently resides in Lisbon, Portugal, where he dedicates his time to artistic creation. Artistic Style Yanbei explores an intriguing artistic space that lies between calligraphy and topography. His unique approach involves using bold, repetitive contour lines layered over subtle washes of inviting colors. This technique draws inspiration from the traditions of calligraphy and ink scroll paintings, both of which are central to Chinese history. Yanbei’s art serves as a bridge between cultural heritage and the elegantly abstract, allowing him to recall his past while pushing artistic boundaries forward. Media Diário de Notícias 20/05/2024 Diário de Notícias 02/06/2022 Diário de Notícias 02/06/2022 (EN) Diário de Notícias 15/05/2022 e-Cultura 15/05/2022 Diário de Notícias 28/10/2018 Fredrik T Z  04/04/2021