Renqian Yang

Biography

Renqian Yang (b.1987, Xiangtan, Hunan Province, China) earned her B.F.A. in Ceramics from the Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, Chongqing in 2009 and her M.F.A. in Ceramics from Syracuse University in 2014. Currently, she lives and works in Oswego, New York as an artist and Assistant Professor at the State University of New York at Oswego. Yang’s work has continued to exhibit in the U.S. and China. Her recent exhibitions include: International KOGEI Award in Toyama 2020 Exhibition, Prefectural Museum of Art and Design, Toyama, Japan (2021); As part of the NCECA conference, Rivers Connect: Unstoppable Forces in Contemporary Ceramics, Northern Kentucky University Art Gallery (2021); Renqian Yang, Cayuga Museum of History and Art, Auburn, New York (2019); Renqian Yang: Construct Deconstruction, Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue Art Gallery, Jingdezhen, China (2018). In January 2017, she had her first solo exhibition in New York at Fou Gallery. She served as a residency artist at Craigardan (2018), Jingdezhen International Studio (2018), andthe Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts (2017). Recently,  Her work received an Honorable Mention at the Riverfront: 2020 exhibition at the Delaware Contemporary, U.S.A. (2020). 

Press

2019 

• “Renqian Yang and Her Porcelain Prose” By Zi Lin, June 10th, 2019, TUSSLE- ART Magazine-NYC 
• Review” Renqian Yang and Her Porcelain Prose” Art Collection, 典藏. Issued in April,2019. Text by Lin Zi. Translated by Lin Zi and Ding Wanlun. 

2018 

• Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue Art Gallery presents Renqian Yang’s exhibition “Construct Deconstruction” CAFA ART INFO, Art News, by SUE WANG on Jun 28, 2018 

2017 

• “Opening Reception REN Studio: Extraordinary Ordinary”, SinoVision English Channel, December 21, 2017 
• “Abstract Art in Dialogue”, New York Art Series, The China Press(侨报纽约), Jan 31st, 2017 
• Review Renqian Yang “Complementary Colors” Solo Exhibition, ARTCO Monthly (典藏·今艺) published on February issue, 2017 
• Artist Guide, Renqian Yang “Complementary Colors”, Art.china.cn (艺术中国) March, 13rd, 2017 
• Art work "Urban sprawl#1”, "Urban sprawl#3" Stone Canoe Number 11, January 2017 

2016 

• Interview and an artist introduction-Renqian Yang, Zao Wu JI(造物记) , published on 1/28/2016 
• • “Migrating”, Art Scene Today ( January, 2016) 

Research 

Yang is interested in the concept of binaries. Her work addresses the unity and the contradiction of dichotomies: restriction and freedom; pessimism and optimism; complexity and simplicity; representation and abstraction; the man-made world and the natural world. At the same time, her work explores how an individual is related to nature, society, and oneself. Yang combines both traditional and nontraditional methods in her practice. While primarily  focusing on ceramics, her work also extends to installation, sculpture, drawing, painting, mixed media and utilitarian wares.

Conferences 

• NCECA- National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts 
• CAA-College Art Association

Awards and honors 

• Selected Finalists, Competition: Seeing RED, Art Scene Today, January, 2016
• Gold Artist Award, Art Ascent Magazine December 2014
• The Ginsburg-Klaus Art in LA Practicum Week Grant, Syracuse University, 2014
• VPA Global Excellence Award, Syracuse University, 2013 
• Jerome Solomon Memorial Scholarship, Syracuse University, 2011

Performances and exhibitions 

2019 

• Renqian Yang, Solo Exhibition, CNY Emerging Artist Project, Cayuga Museum of History & Art, Auburn, New York, August 15- September 14th, 2019 
• “The Paradox of Pleasure”, Group Exhibition, The Maverick Expo # 6, 195 Chrystie Street, NYC, April 30- May 5th, 2019 
• “Lan Zhaoxing and Renqian Yang: Between Mountains”, two persons show, Fou Gallery, New York, January 19–March 17, 2019. 

2018 

• “18 Cubed”, International Ceramics Exhibition, Aqua Art Fair, Miami Beach, FL, December 5-9, 2018 
• “Topia and City”, Jizhunfangzhong Art Space, Group Exhibition, Chengdu, China October 26–December 26, 2018 
• Renqian Yang: Urban Microcosmos, Solo Exhibition, Fou Gallery, Pop-up space, Shanghai, China, September 28-October 15, 2018 
• Renqian Yang: Construct Deconstruction, Solo Exhibition, Taoxichuan Ceramic Art Avenue Art Gallery, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, China, June 16–June 30, 2018. 
• “Urban sprawl 2” “Environmentally Aware”, Group Exhibition, Clay Arts Vegas, Nevada, Las Vegas, May 3-May 27, 2018 
• “Extraordinary Ordinary” Solo Exhibition, Biggercode Gallery, NY, Dec 20-Jan 27, 2018 

2017

• “Poetic Object” Two persons show, Clayscapes Pottery Gallery, Syracuse, NY, May 19-June 17,2017 
• “Complementary Colors” Solo Exhibition, Fou Gallery, Brooklyn, NY, January 14–March 19, 2017. 
• “Abstract Art in Dialogue”, New York School of Interior Design Gallery, New York City, NY, January 24– 29, 2017 

2016 

• “Urban sprawl 7” “Rare Earth”- National Ceramics Exhibition, Cabrillo Gallery, CA, October 3– 28, 2016 
• “The Almighty Cup 2016”, Gandee Gallery, Fabius, NY. October 3–November 22, 2016. 
• “Migrating”, Art Scene Today, January 2016 
• “The Ant Tribe”, Cross-Cultural Dialogue: China-American Young Artists Exhibition, Jacob K Javits Convention Center, New York, NY, February 6–10, 2016 

Education 

• MFA in Ceramics, Syracuse University, School of Art & Design, Syracuse, NY, 2014 
• BFA in Ceramics, Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, School of Art & Design, Chongqing, China, 2009