For his 1993 solo exhibition at the Contemporary Art Gallery in Beijing, Wang Peng blocked the gallery entrance with a brick wall. The opening of his exhibition therefore relied on the closing of the physical space; a situation that ironically resulted in his exhibition being closed down by the gallery’s management after one day. Wang’s project was a commentary on the strict controls placed on the display of art in China in the early 1990s, when installation and performance art were strictly forbidden. The video documents Wang’s preparation for the exhibition, depicting him producing a poster with the Chinese character for ‘wall’ and collaborating with workers to build the physical structure.
Wang Peng (born 1964, Jinan) graduated from the Mural Department of the Central Academy of Fine Art in 1988. He is known for his experimental artistic practice that encompasses installation, performance, video, and new media art. His personal experience is often the starting point for his creative process. He lives and works in New York and Beijing.