The book launch will include a presentation by Professor Jiang Jiehong (Birmingham City University), remarks by Professor Chris Berry (King's College London) and Dr Wenny Teo (The Courtauld Institute of Art), and a panel conversation moderated by Dr Panpan Yang (SOAS University of London).

The event is part of SOAS East Asian Research Seminar (EARS). It's free and open to all, but booking is essential via https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launch-the-conformed-body-contemporary-art-in-china-tickets-912744161357?aff=oddtdtcreator - Eventbrite.

About the new book

Through the perspective of the 'conformed body', this groundbreaking book examines the role in art of everyday conformist practices in the People's Republic of China, such as mass assemblies and bodily trainings and exercises, as well as their impact on people's perceptions and collective memories. It identifies related artworks, reassesses artistic interpretations with critical reflections, and explores a key origin of artistic productions in post-Mao China. Featuring 200 colour illustrations, the book discusses works by more than 30 internationally acclaimed Chinese contemporary artists, including Ai Weiwei, Geng Jianyi, Song Dong, Xu Bing, Zhang Peili and Zhang Xiaogang.

About the main speakers

Jiang Jiehong is Professor of Chinese Art, Director of the Centre for Chinese Visual Arts, Birmingham City University, and Principal Editor of the Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art (Intellect).

Chris Berry is Professor of Film Studies at King's College London, his academic research is grounded in work on audio-visual media of the Sinosphere.

Wenny Teo is a specialist in modern and contemporary art, with a particular emphasis on China and Chinese diasporas in transnational and global contexts. She is currently a Senior Lecturer at The Courtauld Institute of Art.

Panpan Yang is Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in the arts and visual cultures of modern China at SOAS University of London.

Event Location

The event will take place at SOAS University's Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre. See https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launch-the-conformed-body-contemporary-art-in-china-tickets-912744161357?aff=oddtdtcreator - Eventbrite link for further details.