A Fusion of Tradition and Contemporary Expression
In contemporary Chinese sculpture, Huang Yulong emerges as a distinctive artist who seamlessly blends traditional influences with modern aesthetics. Born in 1983 in Anhui province, Yulong's artistic journey began in the renowned 'porcelain capital' of China, Jingdezhen, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture from the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute.
Known for his large-scale bronze sculptures, Yulong takes a creative detour with his limited-edition toys, showcasing his prowess in the miniature realm. These small wonders encapsulate the essence of his more significant works while introducing a fresh perspective on his signature 'hoodie' characters.
Yulong's miniature figures, such as "TopDog," "The Party," and "Be My Side," intricately capture the balance between Eastern tradition and the aesthetics of hip-hop culture. His sculptures, adorned with hooded sweatshirts, are a unique synthesis of serenity and urban vibrancy, reflecting China's transition from an isolated society to a globally competitive nation.
Each figure carries a distinct identity without facial features, allowing viewers to focus on posture and body language. Yulong's choice to leave a void under the hood invites contemplation, aligning with traditional Chinese art concepts that respect the viewer's interpretation.
A closer look at Yulong's art reveals the fusion of East and West as he pulverizes the structures of both philosophies to create a new cultural paradigm. The hoodies, sometimes embellished with 'bling' and gold, challenge traditional associations, prompting viewers to reconsider preconceived notions.
Huang Yulong's artistic journey is a grand jeté that unfolds in space, playing with balance and rupture. His sculptures, crafted from bronze, showcase a virtuoso mastery reminiscent of a Shaolin monk. The absence of facial features doesn't diminish the profound sense of humanity conveyed through his art; instead, it elevates the material, making it breathe through meticulously treated pleats and intricate details.
These miniature marvels, such as "Tiandi," "Dear Theodosia," and "What's Up People," transcend geographical boundaries, carrying their vibrations universally. Yulong's commitment to both traditional culture and contemporary influences creates a unique narrative that resonates with audiences worldwide.
In conclusion, Huang Yulong's limited edition toys are not merely miniature sculptures; they are a testament to his ability to fuse tradition with contemporary expression, inviting viewers to contemplate the ever-evolving landscape of Chinese art.
The Top Dog（PolyStone）
The Top Dog（Porcelain）
Childhood is not just the years earlier than adulthood, it is another meaning of life. It is a world exclusive to children, and adults may not understand children's world. When children play together, there is always a leader and other children follow his orders and abide by his rules. Such a child is like the alpha sheep among sheep, the alpha wolf among wolves, and the "King of Children" among a group of children. The King of Children may not all be like the Monkey King holding the moon among the stars on the Flower and Fruit Mountain. Most of the time, he is silent. He likes to find a corner, sit down, and watch quietly, understanding the wisdom of "watching from the sidelines." He enjoyed solitude but was never alone.
The Party
2018 was special. That period reminded me of the friends I faced when I was dancing in college. Street dancing made me feel warmth and love. Battle taught me confidence and embrace... The original intention of the Sweatshirt Man series is to use the symbol of the sweatshirt to attract like-minded friends. Although hip-hop culture originated from abroad, we must also step out of our own, Chinese style. Holding fists is my interpretation of this attitude.
Existence
The universe does not have "existence" at all, and the growth of self-awareness acquires existence. Maybe it’s about thinking: Born as a human being, standing between heaven and earth, what is the freedom of life? Or in pursuit: Standing silently, meditating quietly, looking down at the shadow under your feet; the silent dialogue in the light and shadow, infinitely affirming and confirming yourself. exist. I think that when I stand on the earth with my limbs stretched out, the character "人" will naturally form. Standing silently and mobilizing the spirituality of the senses, feeling the relative integration of the universe and nature, constantly confirming oneself, confirming the world, and confirming everything that is immortal and immortal, this is the "Heaven, Earth, Man, and Harmony" of Eastern philosophy!
Scarecrow
Huang Yulong created his new work "Scarecrow" during the epidemic, trying to awaken the harmonious relationship between man and nature. The artist hopes to use this scarecrow installation to remind people to stay true to their original aspirations and respect nature. Farmers use scarecrows to protect their crops. During this special period of the epidemic, Bai Yuchi hopes to use his sculpture scarecrow to protect humans from the virus.
N.E.S.W
Huang Yulong has always been based on the utilization of traditional cultural elements as the basis of modeling, with the spiritual appeal of age-old fashion culture as the value orientation, and the deep integration of tradition and contemporary, East and West as the professional responsibility and cultural pursuit of his artistic creation. The work continues the style characteristics of the sweatshirt series, transforming the four guardians of traditional religious themes into the four major elements of contemporary young people's street culture. The four different colors of the original four guardians are used to correspond to the colors of the work. Through religious terms, The borrowing activates responses from real life and historical memory and constitutes a cross-time and space dialogue between tradition and contemporary times in an artistic way.
Miroku
Whether it's a Buddha statue or just an ordinary person... the diverse cultural inspirations arrive at the same destination through different routes and are finally brought together with the important street element of "hoodies", which is like a second skin that never fades, returning to the Go among the adult culture.
Be Real
Love (putting hands together)
Be firmly loyal to your heart and express your heart passionately
The persistence and sincerity of love come to my face!
Love means never looking back!
Love means without expecting anything in return!
Love means being willing to give everything you have to you!
Voltaire
This sweatshirt head sculpture was written silently. When I closed my eyes and thought about making a sculpture head, all the pictures in my mind were of Voltaire's plaster statues. This was due to my experience of learning painting.
Hulu
In the work "Gourd", the gourd, which is a symbol of fortune in traditional auspicious culture, is borrowed, and the hoodies of the father and son are superimposed into the classic shape of a gourd bottle. This not only expresses the post-80s generation's scrutiny of the parent-child relationship after becoming parents, but also reflects the spiritual trajectory of this generation from rebellion to maturity, from chasing fashion to reflecting on tradition, and presents the life insights and inner sublimation brought about by the accumulation of life experience as a collision and fusion of popular culture and traditional culture.
The Lion
Baiyu’s “Lion” is inspired by the traditional Chinese habit of placing two stone lions on either side of the door. Chinese people pay great attention to water. Placing a pair of stone lions on the left and right sides of the door can not only ward off evil spirits but also bring auspiciousness. White Jade reinterprets the lion that protects the door with its iconic image of a man in a hoodie. The person holding the stone drum represents the male, and the drum symbolizes prosperity and good luck; the person holding the baby in the sweatshirt represents the female, which means prosperity and inheritance from generation to generation. The image of a man in a hoodie is used instead of the lion as a mascot to protect peace, making the originally gentle and powerful image of the lion full of tension and mystery. In the process of inheritance, the works have entrusted the creation and thinking of contemporary people.
What’s up people?LONG
What’s up people is a set of sculptures created by Huang Yulong for his street artist friends. They grew up in China, love street art creation, and do things that are more pure than artists. He wants to use this set of works to pay tribute to Chinese street artists. This is Huang Yulong himself. He started his hip-hop career in 2000, and hip-hop became a part of his life, influencing his subsequent creation and life. He integrated his understanding of hip-hop, his feelings about life, and his thinking about life into his works, becoming a representative figure of Chinese street culture.
What’s up people?MING
What’s up people is a set of sculptures created by Huang Yulong for his street artist friends. They grew up in China, love street art creation, and do things that are more pure than artists. He wants to use this set of works to pay tribute to Chinese street artists. Mingming is a handsome guy who is actively involved in the commercial management and operation of hip-hop. He uses his passion and wisdom to push the street culture and entertainment industry to a high point.
What’s up people?SHAN
What’s up people is a set of sculptures created by Huang Yulong for his street artist friends. They grew up in China, love street art creation, and do things that are more pure than artists. He wants to use this set of works to pay tribute to Chinese street artists. Ah Shan is not a hiphopper, but he founded the most popular hip-hop bar in China, and has become a gathering place for all Chinese rappers and dancers to communicate and have carnivals. Ah Shan has created a cool stage for Chinese hip-hop.
What’s up people?UMI
What’s up people is a set of sculptures created by Huang Yulong for his street artist friends. They grew up in China, love street art creation, and do things that are more pure than artists. He wants to use this set of works to pay tribute to Chinese street artists. This one is Huang Yulong’s graffiti artist friend, Umi. He does not have the aura of an artist, nor does he have a tall and big studio. He creates on the streets and never gives up. The city is his creative field, and graffiti is his life.
What’s up people?XING
What’s up people is a set of sculptures created by Huang Yulong for his street artist friends. They grew up in China, love street art creation, and do things that are more pure than artists. He wants to use this set of works to pay tribute to Chinese street artists. Xingxing has been Huang Yulong’s close friend for many years and can be regarded as the founder of the first generation of street brands in China. The brand he founded reflects the rise and development of domestic street culture.
What’s up people?
What’s up people is a set of sculptures created by Huang Yulong for his street artist friends. They grew up in China, love street art creation, and do things that are more pure than artists. He wants to use this set of works to pay tribute to Chinese street artists.
Tiandi
"I am the only one in heaven and on earth!" This is what Sakyamuni said when he stood up and became a Buddha under the Bodhi tree. He held flowers in his hand and pointed to heaven. It means that nothing in this world is more important than maintaining his true self. People can not care about anything, but they cannot forget their true intentions. Baiyumu has always adhered to his original intention in his creation. No matter how small or simple the details in life are, as long as they can move him, he will incorporate them into his creations. When my daughter was young, no matter how high she stretched her little hands, she could not touch the top of her head. This cute detail inspired Baiyu to start the creation of the image of children's sweatshirt figures. Combined with her understanding and perception of "heaven and earth, I am the only one", "Heaven and Earth" 》came into being. Everyone's destiny is in their own hands. Whatever karma you sow, you will get the reward. Make your destiny and seek your blessings.
Mockingbird
Mocking Bird combines the sculpture of a boy in a hoodie by artist Bai Yuri with the sculpture of an Asian elephant by movie special effects prop artist Zhu Suning. This artwork sets a little boy and a dying Asian elephant in opposition. The little boy looks at the desperate Asian elephant. The sharp opposition between humans and Asian elephants is silently expressed - this is a conflict caused by economic development and habitat destruction.
The conflict between humans and Asian elephants continues to this day, and it is urgent to find a way out for coexistence. May there be roosters in the forest, roosters in the water, and beasts on the earth? May humans and animals live in harmony, without being disturbed, in peace and beauty.
Huang Yulong was born in 1983 in Anhui Province, China. In 2007 he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture from the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute in Jiangxi Province. As one of the new generation of Chinese artists and part of the ‘post-80s generation’ and ‘only child’ generation, Huang is strongly influenced by the phenomenon of foreign culture in China, which he combines with his fascination with pottery and the material world. Huang is best known for his sculptures of Buddhas in hoodies, displaying an exchange of Eastern tradition and Western contemporary style. He was selected by “Complex” as “25 Contemporary Chinese Artists You Need to Know” in 2013. His sculptures have been exhibited at Niubi Newbie Kids II, at Schoeni Gallery, Hong Kong; “Zeitgeist” Huang Yulong’s Solo Exhibition at Himalayas Art Museum, Shanghai, China; Chinese Artist / Marseille Artist at Marseilles, France; The 4th International Contemporary Art Exhibition at Gwangju Biennale Korea, Art Beijing Art Fair at Beijing, China and etc. He also held his first solo exhibition “NULL” in Hong Kong in 2015.
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