Wu Wei holds 'Wild Man Index' exhibition

Chinese artist Wu Wei is showcasing 56 installations, sculptures, and videos at his “Wild Man Index” exhibition at the Pingshan Art Museum.

The striking elements of his works include fur, paper, and bold colors. He innovatively uses these materials to create pieces that resemble untamed creatures, retaining their raw, unbridled essence. In contrast to civilization, Wu’s color palette delivers a visceral impact, evoking a sense of provocation and aggression.

A glance at Wu Wei’s “Wild Man Index” at the Pingshan Art Museum. Photos by Cao Zhen

Artworks by Wu Wei are on display.

“Hair symbolizes humanity’s incomplete evolution, carrying ancient and primal information. Consider the soothing act of petting your cat at night: it brings relaxation as memories of childhood and ancestral habits are awakened. Animals rub against each other with their fur to express affection and intimacy, just as humans are drawn to soft, warm, and cozy clothing made of wool or fur. Yet, we also harbor an instinctual abjection toward hair or fur, associating it with savagery, beasts, and monsters. Wu Wei masterfully captures this peculiar and paradoxical psychological reaction in his works,” curator Cui Cancan wrote in his curatorial statement.

Some of Wu’s installations depict a lush forest dotted with masks, transforming the natural environment into a theater that reveals the spirituality inherent in Earth, trees, and plants. Although Wu’s artworks display minimalist forms and industrial aesthetics, they are also rich with intricate details.

Artworks by Wu Wei are on display.

Artworks by Wu Wei are on display.

On the third floor of the Pingshan Art Museum, the exhibition hall features wild man images, a large rug adorned with a tiger-skin pattern, and tables and chairs, all arranged in a blend of nature and myth. On the fourth floor, installations and objects reflect Wu’s reimagining of the art history.

Curator Cui remarked that the “Wild Man Index” exhibition addresses the fundamental question of what it means to be a human: Does one embrace the decline of humanity through evolution in response to urbanization, or does one choose to live in a natural state of equality with all living beings?

“Wild men suggest an answer: In their world, they have land, sun, and water. With only the essentials, they are content and require nothing more. Their lives are abundant, and they neither bear the weight of the past nor worry about the future,” Cui stated in his curatorial commentary.

Artworks by Wu Wei are on display.

Artworks by Wu Wei are on display.

Dates: Through April 6

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Mondays

Tickets: Free, no reservations are necessary

Venue: Pingshan Art Museum, Pingshan District (坪山区坪山美术馆)

Metro: Line 14 to Pingshan Square Station (坪山广场站), Exit D1