Ren Hang was a self-taught, Beijing-based photographer. A new exhibition, "19 Photographs," is the first exhibition of Ren Hang's work since his death in February.
Ren Hang was a self-taught, Beijing-based photographer. A new exhibition, "19 Photographs," is the first exhibition of Ren Hang's work since his death in February.
Courtesy KWM Art Center
While the photos featured in the exhibition contain tropes often associated with Ren's work, like the use of animals, the curators hope to shine a new light on the late photographer's work.
While the photos featured in the exhibition contain tropes often associated with Ren's work, like the use of animals, the curators hope to shine a new light on the late photographer's work.
Courtesy KWM Art Center
The images are taken from a larger show by the same organizers, "Beauty Without Beards," which had opened in Beijing two weeks before the Ren's death.
The images are taken from a larger show by the same organizers, "Beauty Without Beards," which had opened in Beijing two weeks before the Ren's death.
Courtesy KWM Art Center
Composed largely of male nudes taken between 2010 and 2016, the new exhibition features some of the last Ren prints to be authenticated.
Composed largely of male nudes taken between 2010 and 2016, the new exhibition features some of the last Ren prints to be authenticated.
Courtesy KWM Art Center
"We wanted to choose photos that emphasize how Ren Hang used human body as a compositional element," said one of the show's curators, Zhang Yuling. Scroll through the gallery of more photos by Ren Hang.
"We wanted to choose photos that emphasize how Ren Hang used human body as a compositional element," said one of the show's curators, Zhang Yuling. Scroll through the gallery of more photos by Ren Hang.
Courtesy KWM Art Center
Graphic Warning
Graphic Warning
His color-blasted, abstract erotic snapshots made him one of Asia's most popular contemporary artists.
His color-blasted, abstract erotic snapshots made him one of Asia's most popular contemporary artists.
courtesy of kwm art center
Ren Hang was known for his sexually expressive, often absurd images ...
Ren Hang was known for his sexually expressive, often absurd images ...
courtesy of kwm art center
... which the artist said come from his own stream of consciousness.
... which the artist said come from his own stream of consciousness.
courtesy of kwm art center
In Ren Hang's imagination, everything was an uninhibited metaphor for desire.
In Ren Hang's imagination, everything was an uninhibited metaphor for desire.
courtesy of kwm art center
Even plants and pools of water are charged with lust.
Even plants and pools of water are charged with lust.
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Ren pares away the backgrounds, leaving few distractions for his abstract human sculptures.
Ren pares away the backgrounds, leaving few distractions for his abstract human sculptures.
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Ren's models were usually naked and pale Chinese youths, wearing blasé expressions.
Ren's models were usually naked and pale Chinese youths, wearing blasé expressions.
courtesy of kwm art center
He would often shoot his own friends, and sometimes photographs fans who apply online.
He would often shoot his own friends, and sometimes photographs fans who apply online.
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Many critics interpret Ren Hang's art as socially charged -- either a bold stance against censorship or a middle finger in the face of Chinese conservatism.
Many critics interpret Ren Hang's art as socially charged -- either a bold stance against censorship or a middle finger in the face of Chinese conservatism.
courtesy of kwm art center
The photographer has said he never thought of art as having a political message.
The photographer has said he never thought of art as having a political message.
courtesy of kwm art center
"I don't have a motivation," he told CNN Style previously. "I don't know about others, but I'm sure I don't look at art that way."
"I don't have a motivation," he told CNN Style previously. "I don't know about others, but I'm sure I don't look at art that way."
courtesy of kwm art center
Ren had been arrested multiple times in China and his photos have been defaced at exhibitions, or confiscated by officials.
Ren had been arrested multiple times in China and his photos have been defaced at exhibitions, or confiscated by officials.
courtesy of kwm art center
Even his websites have been pulled offline.
Even his websites have been pulled offline.
courtesy of kwm art center