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Yique’s Way – Mutuality In Extremes
2 August @ 18:00 - 15 August @ 18:00
Free – 10£
The University of New South Wales Judith Neilson Chair of Contemporary Art Paul Gladston, in collaboration with Ugly Duck, proudly presents “Yique’s Way – Mutuality in Extremes,” an innovative exhibition featuring the works of emerging artist Yique.
Last year, Yique and a collective of artists made a bold statement by completely whitewashing the Brick Lane graffiti wall and stenciling the twelve socialist core values of the Communist Party of China (CPC), creating the “art action” East London Socialist Core Values. This sparked intense debate across social media platforms and within the local community, to the point where people were cyberbullying him and writing anti-Chinese government slogans on the wall. Despite the Tower Hamlets council eventually covering the artwork, it garnered international attention and was featured in esteemed media outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, ArtNet, CNN, and TimeOut. Renowned artist Ai WeiWei even praised it as “the most noteworthy work in London.”
Hailing from China, Yique is known for his provocative artistry, often infused with a sense of absurdity. A graduate of the Royal College of Art, his multidisciplinary approach explores various media and elements, delving into the complexities of human consciousness.
The exhibition “Yique’s Way – Mutuality in Extremes” includes seminal works such as Field Temporary Work Co., Take Break, Get Pay, Perhaps Love, and Apple. It traces the evolution of Yique’s art leading up to the controversial East London Socialist Core Values. His artistic interventions challenge societal norms and invite viewers to contemplate the human experience within social constructs and existential realms. The exhibition also features engaging events, including the debut of a documentary film, a captivating performance, and a panel discussion.
Events Details:
- Exhibition Opening dates & hours:
August 3rd – 15th
Tuesday-Friday 12:00 – 18:00 / Saturday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00
Free Entry - Opening Night (Private View)
August 2nd, 18:00 – 22:00
Free – registration required - Documentary Viewing Party
August 4th, 18:00 – 20:00
Free – registration required: REGISTER HERE
“The Movement of the Opposite”
This documentary shows the making of an ‘art action’ by the Chinese artist Yique, East London Socialist Core Values, which became a focus for intense international media interest in 2023. The video includes comments by the artist Ai Weiwei and UNSW Judith Neilson Professor of Contemporary Art Paul Gladston on the significance of the action. - Theatrical Performance
August 9th, 18:00 – 20:00
Ticketed: £5.00 Online // £8.00 on the door – BUY TICKETS HEREA performance piece developed by practising artists Luella Steed and Xi Richards, using soil as a medium to explore the interdependent relationship between artist and audience. This homage to Yi Que’s provocative Brick Lane piece reflects on the cultural intersections of political critique that Yi Que received, and how this impacted his career.Xi (b. China 2004) is a female British artist
whose work is rooted in personal introspection. Xi’s practice embraces a multidisciplinary approach, mainly investigating the intersections between performance, sculpture and writing. Her practice is informed by research surrounding subjects such as feminism, sexuality, and philosophy. Through Xi’s work, she offers a confessional and reflective exploration of these themes, contextualised within human identity and experience. Since recently graduating from Central Saint Martins, the artist has been awarded a scholarship to further her studies at the Slade School of Fine Art on the BA programme.Luella Steed (b. London, 2002) is a female British artist whose work is rooted in the intrapersonal, interpersonal and it’s relation to cultural power. Her work stems from a deep exploration of her inner psyche, resulting in pieces that are raw and vulnerable in both subject matter and textural form. This vulnerability is manifested through varying forms: nudity, graphite, and repurposed discarded materials. Investigating these themes through active research, her practice embraces a multidisciplinary approach in performance, writing, time-based media and illustration.
Luella Steed is currently studying at Central Saint Martins on the BA Fine Art programme. - Panel Discussion
August 10th, 18:00 – 20:00
Free – registration required: REGISTER HERE
The panel discussion features Paul Gladston, Dr. Katie Hill, Dr. Hongwei Bao, and Yique, exploring contemporary Chinese art and its social and cultural impacts, often challenging Western views on democracy and freedom. They will examine the role of artists in society and the intersection of art, politics, media, and public perception. The panel will also address reactions to Yique’s East London Socialist Core Values, discussing its political implications and media portrayals. Attendees will engage with experts who challenge conventions and expand our understanding of contemporary art.Yique is a Contemporary Chinese artist whose research spans classical Marxism, the Frankfurt School’s critique of society, and the social transformations under neoliberalism.Prof. Paul Gladston is the inaugural Judith Neilson Chair of Contemporary Art at the University of New South Wales, Sydney and a distinguished affiliate fellow of the UK-China Humanities Alliance, Tsinghua University, Beijing.Dr. Katie Hill is currently Academic Lead, Asia and Senior Lecturer at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, London, where she founded and directed the MA in Modern and Contemporary Asian Art.Dr. Hongwei Bao is Associate Professor in Media Studies at the University of Nottingham, UK, where he co-directs the Centre for Critical Theory and Cultural Studies.
