Twin-city exhibition bridges SZ, Huizhou

“Twin Cities: Solo Exhibitions of Chen Weichao and Zhang Shijie” presents representative works by Shenzhen-based artist Chen Weichao and Huizhou-based artist Zhang Shijie.

The exhibition examines contemporary interactions and resonances between Shenzhen and Huizhou — two neighboring cities that are closely connected yet have followed different development paths. The two artists, who come from distinct backgrounds and artistic trajectories, use their practices to evoke urban memories, personal experiences, and the spirit of the times.

A painting by Chen Weichao. Photos from the WeChat official account of Manjinghua Art Gallery

Chen has studied art in Italy for eight years, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia. Working primarily in sculpture, installation, and painting, he explores virtual identity, power, and consumerism through a fable-like lens. Several of his pieces incorporate geometric forms, mechanical elements, sawdust, and resin.

Two paintings by Zhang Shijie. 

Zhang, a self-taught artist, innovatively blends linen, wood, and straw into his paintings. His works are marked by coarse, weighty textures that vividly portray the psychological and spiritual landscape of small-town youth, reflecting a profound engagement with regional history and personal memory.

Exhibits at Manjinghua Art Gallery in Dapeng New Area. 

The exhibition takes place at Manjinghua Art Gallery, a venue refurbished from an old factory. Its historical and industrial character lends special significance to the show. The exhibition curator Peng Jie emphasizes that the space itself is an integral part of the exhibition, linking historical reflection, present dialogue, and future imagination.

Dates: Through Oct. 19

Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Mondays

Venue: Manjinghua Art Gallery, 106 Kuipeng Road, Dapeng New Area (大鹏新区葵鹏路106号满京华美术馆)

Buses: M457, M569 

A poster for the exhibition.