Chinese contemporary art has only been around for a little over 30 years. During the Cultural Revolution art that did not serve communist goals was deemed counter-revolutionary. Artists were forced to learn Soviet Realism in school and all other styles of art was banned.

Huang Rui is one of the founding members of the Stars Group, which included Ai Weiwei. They pushed forth the the first contemporary art movements following the Cultural Revolution. They painted in Western styles which were considered extremely avant-garde, such as Impressionism, Dada, Cubism, and Surrealism.

Huang Rui cubist painting from 1980 at his studio

The group made history on September 27th 1979 when the Stars Exhibition, China’s first contemporary art exhibition, opened on the perimeter of China Arts Gallery (now the National Art Museum of China). They did not have a permit therefore defying authority and official policy. One day later the authorities declared the outdoor exhibition illegal. The Stars marched on October 1st, the 30th anniversary of the founding of the PRC to express their protest of this decision.

Huang Rui Studio

After living in living in self-exile for close to twenty years, Huang Rui now resides ten minutes from 798. You can find The Founding Father of 798 strolling the streets of this art district on any given day.

Recent works in his studio

Huang Rui is still very active in the Chinese contemporary art scene, most recently doing a performance art to criticize the 008 incident where artists were beaten because they would not vacate their studios earlier this year.

How much has changed? Is there more freedom now, or less? More or less police/government control and brutality?

Artzine China Huang Rui Profile
Artspeakchina Huang Rui Profile
Artspeakchina The Stars Group